Medical NGOs @ Bam

2004-12-29T08:15:00.000+03:30

Leader urges speedy, quake-resistant reconstruction of Bam
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
29 (MNA) -- The Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution on Wednesday called for the reconstruction of the quake-stricken city of Bam in such a way that all ...

Asia killer tops 26,000 death toll of Bam shaker also on Dec. 26
WorldNetDaily - Grants Pass,OR,USA
The 9.0 killer earthquake in Asia that unleashed tsunamis killing tens of thousands followed exactly one year to the hour after the Bam, Iran, earthquake that ...

After the tsunami: horrifying, but not 'humbling'
Spiked - London,UK
... Exactly one year before the Asian undersea earthquake (which measured 9 on the Richter scale), an earthquake measuring 6.3 devastated the Iranian city of Bam. ...

From 'Do-Gooders' to Better-Organized Relief Professionals
Yahoo News (press release) - USA
... Moseanko has spent the past two decades responding to natural and man-made disasters, from last year's earthquake in Bam, Iran that killed 30,000 people, to ...

2004-12-28T08:15:00.000+03:30

It is official, Bam citadel in the world heritage list
Persian Journal - Iran
The certificate for the registration of Bam citadel in the world heritage list was handed over to the Iranian officials in Bam yesterday afternoon. ...

Disaster relief a new challenge
Sydney Morning Herald (subscription) - Sydney,New South Wales,Australia
... off northern Sumatra triggered its devastation across southern Asia, sending death waves as far as Africa's east coast, the Iranian city of Bam came crashing ...

World helps - but will it forget?
BBC News - London,England,UK
... the first place. A year ago, the ancient Iranian city of Bam was struck by an earthquake. It killed about 30,000 people. A year ...

My comments regarding Persian Gulf name misinterpreted: UNESCO ...
Tehran Times - Tehran,Iran
BAM, Kerman Prov. (IRNA) -- The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Deputy Director General ...

Aid workers fly to quake disaster
BBC News - London,England,UK
... Mr Stephens, 62, was also part of the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) which went to last year's devastating earthquake in Bam in Iran. ...

2004-12-27T08:15:00.000+03:30

Asian quake hits one year on from Bam disaster
IranMania News - Iran
... A temblor on December 26, 2003 measured just 6.7 on the Richter scale but flattened the mudbrick Iranian city of Bam on the ancient silk route, killing more ...

Year after Bam, Iran sends condolences to Asia
Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
... on Monday sent his condolences to Asian countries struck by a tsunami a year to the day after an earthquake killed 31,000 people in the Iranian city of Bam. ...

UN, Iran mark first anniversary of earthquake that devastated Bam ...
UN News Centre
27 December 2004 -- Calling the Iranian Bam cultural landscape "an outstanding representation of the interaction of man and nature in a desert environment ...

UN: Tsunami toll worse than Bam quake
Washington Times - Washington,DC,USA
27 (UPI) -- The UN emergency relief coordinator says the Southeast Asia tsunami death toll should surpass last year's 26,000 dead in the Bam, Iran, earthquake. ...

12 months since earthquake in Bam
ABC Online - Australia
PETER CAVE: It just happens to be a year since an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale struck the southern Iranian city of Bam on Boxing Day and ...

Bam photo expo underway at Tehran Niavaran Cultural Center
Payvand - Iran
Tehran, Dec 26, IRNA -- On the anniversary of the devastating quake which struck the southeastern city of Bam, Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Ahmad ...

$4.5m allocated for reconstruction of Bam's monuments: UNESCO ...
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
... has collected $4.5 million in donations for reconstruction of the ancient citadel and other monuments in the quake-stricken city of Bam, UNESCO Assistant ...

"Bam, City of Oranges" hits Iranian bookstores
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
TEHRAN, Dec. 27 (MNA) -- The book "Bam, City of Oranges", which consists of elegies by contemporary poets, is now available in Iranian bookstores. ...

2004-12-26T08:15:00.000+03:30

Over 5000 shards unearthed in Bam Citadel
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
26 (MNA) -- Over 5000 shards have been unearthed from the rubble of the Bam Citadel during the past year, archaeologist Narges Ahmadi said on Sunday. ...

Iran: Thousands Mourn One Year After Bam Earthquake
Baku Today - Baku,Azerbaijan
Thousands of Iranians have gathered in the southeastern city of Bam to mark Sunday's one-year anniversary of the earthquake that claimed more than 31,000 lives ...

UNESCO allocates over dlrs four million to rebuild Arg-e Bam
Payvand - Iran
Tehran, Dec 26, IRNA -- The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has provided dlrs 4.5 million to rebuild Arg-e Bam and other ...

Govt pledges 1m to Asia relief effort
Ireland Online - Dublin,Ireland
... Last Christmas, the Government sent â‚1m in emergency aid to the Iranian city of Bam, which lost 42,000 of its citizens in an earthquake. ...

2004-12-24T08:16:00.000+03:30

Iran prepares to remember Bam quake
IAfrica South African News - Cape Town,South Africa
A year after one of the worst earthquakes in modern history, residents of the Iranian city of Bam are to pay their final respects on Saturday to the 30 000 ...

"Bam Buds" to open at Niavaran Cultural Center tomorrow
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
24 (MNA) -- A group photo exhibition entitled "Bam Buds" is to open at the Niavaran Cultural Center in Tehran tomorrow, which is the first anniversary of ...

Bam on world heritage list a year after quake
IranMania News - Iran
LONDON, Dec 24 (IranMania) - According to Agence France Press, a ceremony will be held in the destroyed Iranian city of Bam Monday marking the earthquake that ...

Slow rebuilding of Iran's Bam brings complaints
IranMania News - Iran
LONDON, Dec 24 (IranMania) - Reconstruction of Bam a year after the Iranian city was hit by a devastating earth tremor is progressing slowly, with the historic ...

Bam goes on heritage list
Al-Jazeera.Net - Qatar
A ceremony is to be held in the destroyed Iranian city of Bam to mark the earthquake that struck the city one year ago and celebrate its inclusion on UNESCO's ...

Bam rises from the rubble
Guardian - UK
... days of digging, the bodies of Azam Amiri's husband, parents, two brothers and a sister were hauled out of the rubble that had been her home in Bam, she felt ...

2004-12-23T17:16:00.000+03:30

President inspects reconstruction efforts in Bam
Tehran Times - Tehran,Iran
TEHRAN (IRNA) -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday inspected the reconstruction efforts in the quake-hit city of Bam and the site of the technical and ...

"Bam Is Alive" in Tehran gallery this week
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) -- A painting exhibition entitled "Bam Is Alive" is to open at the Vali Gallery in Tehran tomorrow. The ...

US University Offers Help for Earthquake Damage in Bam, Iran
All American Patriots (press release) - Taeby,NA,Sweden
... The School of Architecture at Catholic University in Washington has conducted a semester-long study of the 2,000-year-old city of Bam and come up with ...

2004-12-23T08:16:00.000+03:30

Iran: One year after the earthquake in Bam
Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
Cologne/Bam. People in Bam are still suffering from the aftermath of the disastrous earthquake that struck the town one year ago. ...

Iranian President inaugurates Kerman-Bam railroad
Payvand - Iran
Bam, Kerman prov, Dec 23, IRNA -- By arrival of President Mohammad Khatami in the city of Bam, the Kerman-Bam railroad was officially inaugurated and put into ...

Trauma haunts Bam's children as city rebuilds
Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
LONDON (AlertNet) -- On the anniversary of an enormous earthquake that killed almost 31,000 people in southeastern Iran, the people of Bam are still ...

2004-12-22T20:36:00.000+03:30

Psychological scars run deep a year after Bam earthquake in Iran
Daily Star - Beirut,Lebanon
Dec, 22 GENEVA: Domestic violence and drug addiction mar the Iranian city of Bam as residents suffer psychological problems one year after a massive earthquake killed ...

One Year After Quake, Bam Residents Rebuilding, But Psychological Scars Run Deep
Radio Free Europe - Prague,Czech Republic
Dec, 22 A year ago, an earthquake of a magnitude of 6.6 destroyed the historic Iranian city of Bam and killed more than 25,000 people. Some ...

UN support for Bam reconstruction effort in last one year
Payvand - Iran
Tehran, Dec 21, IRNA -- Immediately after the devastating Bam earthquake on December 26, 2003, United Nations agencies based in the Islamic Republic of Iran ...

Archaeologists unveil mystery of children buried in Bam Citadel walls
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
21 (MNA) -- A team of archaeologists solved the puzzle of children's bodies buried in the walls of the Bam Citadel over the past years, a member of the team ...

Khatami launches Khatoon-Abad Smelter, Meyduk Copper Complex
Tehran Times - Tehran,Iran
Dec, 21 ... He would continue his journey to pay a visit to the historic city of Bam in order to assess how reconstruction operation is going on in this city where a ...

Bam Earthquake - One Year Later - Much Has Been Done, But ...
CNW Telbec - Canada
Dec, 20 ... Next Sunday (December 26th 2004) is the first anniversary of the disastrous earthquake that claimed the lives of 40,000 people in the historic city of Bam, Iran ...

Pictorial books on Bam to be publishedMehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
Dec, 19 (MNA) -- Two pictorial books, "Bam, the City It Was" and "Wrecked Roof of Bam", are to be published concurrently with the "Bam Buds" photo ...

Children to decorate Bam streets with paintings
MehrNews.com - Tehran, Iran
Dec, 17 (MNA) -- Iranian children are to decorate the main streets of Bam and Kerman with their paintings concurrent with the week-long Children's International

Gift of health centre for Bam
The Malaysia Star - Malaysia
Dec, 17 KUALA LUMPUR: When a devastating earthquake hit the historic city of Bam in Iran last December, Malaysians showed their sympathy and scooped out a lot of money ...

"Living for a Day in Bam" exhibition kicks off in Bam
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
15 (MNA) --- The exhibition entitled "Living for a Day in Bam" kicked off on Tuesday (December 14) at the historical site of Bam Citadel with the ...

Bam Municipality seeking funds
IranMania News - Iran
LONDON, Dec 14 (IranMania) - A Bam Municipality official said it received only 5 bln rials of the 180 bln rials allocated for the development projects of this ...

Bam reconstruction trend criticized
IranMania News - Iran
LONDON, Dec 12 (IranMania) - Majlis is not satisfied with the trend of reconstruction of the quake-hit city of Bam, the rapporteur of Majlis Development ...

A year later in Bam, 'hard work having an impact'
Payvand - Iran
Geneva, December 10, 2004--Nearly a year after a devastating earthquake struck the city of Bam in Iran, members of the global alliance Action by Churches ...

ACT Appeal: Bam Earthquake Rehabilitation, REVISION 2, Iran
Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
The earthquake in Bam that left behind 26,000 casualties, 75,600 homeless and 5,204 orphans is approaching its first anniversary. ...

Bam's earthquake emergency is still not over a year after 32,000 died
Telegraph.co.uk - London,England,UK
Dec, 5 ... baby as she recollects the circumstances of his birth, 11 hours after an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale levelled the city of Bam in south ...

2004-12-22T08:16:00.000+03:30

President inspects reconstruction efforts in Bam
Tehran Times - Tehran,Iran
TEHRAN (IRNA) -- President Mohammad Khatami on Wednesday inspected the reconstruction efforts in the quake-hit city of Bam and the site of the technical and ...

"Bam Is Alive" in Tehran gallery this week
MehrNews.com - Tehran,Iran
TEHRAN, Dec. 22 (MNA) -- A painting exhibition entitled "Bam Is Alive" is to open at the Vali Gallery in Tehran tomorrow. The ...

US University Offers Help for Earthquake Damage in Bam, Iran
All American Patriots (press release) - Taeby,NA,Sweden
... The School of Architecture at Catholic University in Washington has conducted a semester-long study of the 2,000-year-old city of Bam and come up with ...

2004-11-26T01:49:00.000+03:30

Quake again shakes western Iran
Payvand - Iran
An earthquake measuring 3.8 on the open-ended Richter scale rocked the suburbs of Poldokhtar in the western Iranian province of Lorestan, with no immediate report on probable damage.
...Iranians are still haunted by harrowing images of the world's worst disaster in 2003, in which more than 41,000 people were killed in the ancient city of Bam. ...

2004-11-22T02:44:00.000+03:30

Iran: Psychosocial Rehabilitation program for Bam Teachers
Payvand - Iran
In the aftermath of the tragic Bam earthquake, the Science and Arts Foundation planned and implemented a number of programs aimed at the psychosocial rehabilitation of children in Bam (see bam.schoolnet.ir).

Minutes of Health Meeting on 6th may

2004-11-20T03:02:00.000+03:30

Nov. 16, 2004 / Bam-Old UN Camp

Participants
ACF- Spain Ms. Ana Ruiz Bascaran
ADRA Mr. Fritz Neuberg
AID 24- HB AID Mr. Ference Tisch
IFRC Mr. Stephane Bonduelle
Merlin Mr. Patrick Parsons & Dr. NoorAhmed
MoH & ME- Bam Dr. Abbassi &Eng. Karimi &Mr. Jalali
People In Need Mr. Povel Jezek & Mr. J. Wlusek
Swiss Red Cross (SRC) Mr. Clive Cavanagh
World Vision Mr. Hendrik Harbers
WHO Dr. S. Talebian & Dr. A. Eghtesadi

ADRA: As of the previous CB meeting, it was decided that Task Force takes the lead for health activities, Mr. Sedighi was supposed to join us for this meeting but he did not show up and it seems rather useless to discuss the problems without his presence.

MoH/Bam: Taking the fact mentioned by ADRA into consideration we are here to hear NGOs’ problems frankly and we can only be responsible for the health related issues.

ADRA: The recent problem is that in one of the newspapers of Iran a piece of information is published which has been quoted by a Mr. Saberi (from parliament) and it expresses that international NGOs were expected to leave the region long ago and some NGOs are spreading Christianity. Regarding this and other hitches that usually have been hindering the NGOs’ activities it gets this massage across that they do not want us to work in here.
When ASB-Germany that is supposed to build the Health Network Laboratory referred to Ministry of Housing to ask for the technical construction plans they gave it the carbon copy of Operation Build maps and this was not expected for a confidential map to be shared with others.

MoH/ Bam: Recommends all NGOs not to get into politics and MoH is ready to answer questions that are relevant to health.

ACF- Spain: Also witnesses these problems and it adds that in Bam lack of management skills has made all to forget the beneficiaries and now people ask where all the money donated for the people of Bam has gone to; furthermore in Iran one should know that politics is everything.

Swiss Red Cross(SRC): The problem still exists that no land has yet been allocated for SRC to build the 2 UHCs despite all the follow up done.

MoH/ Bam: Several meetings have been held with the City Council to finalize the land allocation issue for SRC for 3 pieces of land(1 for SRC) the process is almost ending but for Zeid UHC the MoH has allocated a budget to buy a piece of land but not very many land owners are willing to sell their lands.

People In Need: Has agreed to implement the building site allocation for 22nd of Bahman UHC proposed by MoH and the only thing needed is an official letter to be written to PIN describing the technical specifications of MoH proposal.

World Vision: Does not care about problems like the aforementioned article printed in an Iranian newspaper. NGOs do not accept MoH authorities explanations for the current problematic situation.
The problem of Operation Build staff’s visa has been followed up and solved and the air freight container is being released from the customs.

Merlin: There is a rumor that Ministry of Housing is reluctant to let the NGOs participate in construction of health facilities thereby it has so far tried to hinder their activities by bureaucratic obstacles so that NGOs get fed up and pull back or lose their donors.
It has been said to Merlin and some other NGOs to evacuate the current Camp and it is wondering where NGOs would go.

AID 24-HBAID: Will close down in the course of the next week and is wrapping up the current projects but it has obtained 3 recommendation and invitation letters from MoH, WHO and SWO and is planning to go for another project if possible.
AID 24 has received a letter from Bam Task Force that any movement to or from Bam should be reported to Task Force in advance and NGOs are concerned that why such a thing should happen at this stage and it seems that it implies a negative tone towards NGOs.

WHO: It is noteworthy that this tracking system exists for all expatriates in Iran even for UN staff so that it is a very normal process. Why it has not been implemented so far was because of disruption of the infrastructure in Bam. This change just shows it is moving towards normalization process.

Keeper of the Minutes: Dr. Ali Eghtesadi (WHO Program Assistant)

2004-11-16T02:42:00.000+03:30

Iran admits mismanagement behind huge quake tolls
Reuters AlertNet - London,England,UK
... More than 30,000 people died in the southeastern city of Bam last year, most of them crushed or suffocated when their mud-brick houses crumbled. ...

Bam After the Earthquake

2004-11-14T23:00:00.000+03:30

From: People pictures

Photos taken by the people of Bam to celebrate their achievements one year after the earthquake will be on display at the Spitz Gallery, 109 Commercial Street, London, E1 6BG from November 22nd to November 28th in a exhibition: A Day in the Life of Bam. More

From Google News...

2004-11-12T23:02:00.000+03:30

Quake shakes Tehran's suburb
Payvand
... Iranians are still haunted by harrowing images of the world's worst disaster in 2003, in which more than 41,000 people were killed in the ancient city of Bam. ...

Bam sports facilities to be rebuilt
IranMania News
... toman ($459,000) of the game's revenue would be allocated to the reconstruction of the sports facilities in the quake-stricken city of Bam, southeastern Iran ...

Dadkan: Bam stadium reconstruction will cost $0.6 million
IranKicks
Bam, Kerman prov, Nov 9, IRNA - Iran football chief here Monday said Shahid Biglari Stadium of this southeastern city devastated in a killer quake last ...

"Leave Palestine be, think of your own people", Iran
Persian Journal - Iran
... of the Islamic Republic which purchased arms from Israel during the Iran-Contra affair but refused the help of Israeli NGOs to the earthquake victims in Bam. ...

Two quakes jolt southeastern Iran
IranMania News
... Kerman province. The towns are all situated cround the city of Bam, which was almost totally destroyed on December 26 last year. Some ...

2004-11-07T19:52:00.000+03:30

Assessing the impact of humanitarian assistance in the health sector
Les Roberts and Charles-Antoine Hofmann
Humanitarian Policy Group, Overseas Development Institute, London, United Kingdom

2004-11-06T19:55:00.000+03:30

VACANCY NOTICE
UNICEF-Iran is recruiting several Project Assistant positions in Bam in the areas of:
Child Protection (Psycho-social programmes) and Water & Environmental Sanitation (WES)
Title: Project Assistant -Emergency
Work Location: BAM
Level: GS-5
Contract Status: Temporary Fixed Term (TFT)
Objectives: To carry out specific project support activities especially maintaining records and preparing documentation and correspondence pertaining to UNICEF emergency programme in Bam.

Interested applicants are requested to send their CV’s, in English, to fax #2594948 or e-mail address: Tehran@unicef.org or through the Web Site: www.oracleinternet.net (under UNICEF Job Vacancies) no later than Saturday 20 November 2004 quoting Vacancy # 2004/31

2004-11-06T19:23:00.000+03:30

Briton Honoured for Saving Iran 'Quake Victims
The Scotsman - Edinburgh,Scotland,UK
A British lawyer who today received a bravery award for saving the lives of seven people following a devastating earthquake in Iran, said the honour has helped her to “heal” and come to terms with the tragedy.
Ruth Millington, spent nine hours digging the wounded victims out of the rubble of her hotel after the quake – claimed 26,271 lives – struck in the south eastern city Bam on the first day of her holiday.

UK lawyer honored for bravery during Bam earthquake
Payvand - Iran
A British lawyer, who spent nine hours digging wounded victims out of the rubble of her hotel after the devastating earthquake in the Iranian historic town of Bam, has received a prestigious bravery award for saving seven lives.

2004-11-03T19:20:00.000+03:30

$220m WB loan for Bam
IranMania News - Iran
LONDON, Nov 3 (IranMania) - The World Bank (WB) has endorsed a grant of a $220-mln for Bam reconstruction in its October 28 meeting, ILNA quoted the head of Iran's Investment and Economic and Technical Assistances Organization as saying on Tuesday.

2004-11-02T19:32:00.000+03:30

Health Coordination Board Meeting-Bam
October 19, 2004
WHO Office, UN Camp, Bam World Health Organization

Participants:
Dr. Daneshyar / Head of District Health Network
Dr. S. Talebian / WHO-Bam Program manager
Dr. Ali Eghtesadi / WHO-Bam program assistant
Eng. Karimi / Technical Advisor of Kerman University
Fritz Neuberg / ADRA Program Manager , NGOs’ Coordinator
Mr. M. Dadress / ADRA, interpreter
Eng. Foroozandeh / Imam Khomeini charity foundation

Chairman: Dr. Shahram Talebian (WHO- Bam Program Manager)
Keeper of Minutes: Dr. Ali Eghtesadi (WHO-Bam Program Assistant)

Topics:

TOP 67 Information Eng Karimi: "that Khaj-e-Askar rural health center will be reconstructed by Imam Khomeini Charity Foundation. There is already an old building damaged by the earthquake. Since the land is big enough the new building will be constructed next to the old one."
Responsible: Eng Karimi Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 68 Information Mr. Foroozandeh: "that Imam Charity foundation has the budget of about 200-250 m Tomans( equal to approximately to 280,000 USD) to build a rural health center so we asked the Ministry of Housing to provide us with some plans and maps . They offered us a plan for a 1700 Sq meter construction but it is way over our budget so they referred us to Ministry of Health in Tehran but we decided to ask for the maps and some practical advice from Bam District Health Network and herein we want to have some information about Operation Build technology regarding the maps from all views and also the price per meter in order to decide whether it can fit for our budget or not. We are under time pressure by our donor."
Responsible: Mr.Forozandeh Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 69 Agreement: that Mr. Fritz Neuberg form ADRA will provide him with the maps and plans of Operation Build upon their formal written request and for some technical details ADRA needs to get a permission from Operation Build.
Responsible: Mr Fritz Neuberg Deadline: 23.10.04

TOP 70 Information Mr. Fritz Neuberg " that ADRA has submitted all the information regarding Operation Build technology to Ministry of Health in Tehran, to Dr. Aflatounian and also Eng. Karimi several times."
Responsible: Mr. Fritz Neuberg Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 71 Request Dr. Daneshyar " that Bam District Health Network is still suffering from shortage of secondary health facilities for the psychiatric patients of which some are in urgent need of care and MoH&ME Bam requests NGOs to provide them with some temporary or permanent facilities like containers for service delivery to these patients. The land already exists and it has adequate space for the containers as it is 2500 Sq meters big and ready to use. On the land there already exists 180 Sq meters building and is ready for application as the clinic for psychiatric patients.
Responsible: Dr. Daneshyar Deadline: --.--

TOP 72 Agreement that Mr Fritz Neuberg would inform NGOs about Bam District Health Network request as soon as BDHN ( Dr. Daneshyar) provides him with detailed information proving the real need and specifications of their demand. BDHN should prepare a letter of request to WHO including accurate information and statistical data of the psychiatric patients to be presented to NGOs and WHO will share that with NGOs.
Responsible: Mr. Fritz Neuberg , Dr. Daneshyar,& WHO Deadline: 23.10.04

TOP 73 Follw up Regarding the Previous CB meetings (TOP 58) Dr Abbassi was supposed to submit the list of the HHs that already have a land and BDHN is willing to reconstruct with the help of NGOs to CB members. MOH- Bam promised to report to the CB on the next sitting of the Board.
Responsible: Dr. Daneshyar Deadline: 26.10.04

TOP 74 Request Dr. Daneshyar " that BDHN has a long lasting medical staffing problem specifically with some specialties like Internists, Cardiologists, Dermatologists, and Orthopaedics surgeons and one of the most important problems that has hindered absorption and recruitment of doctors is accommodation situation in Bam therefore if NGOs are willing to provide BDHN with some containers or other accommodation facilities it is highly appreciated."
Responsible: Dr. Daneshyar Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 75 Agreement that Dr. Daneshyar would provide detailed proposal and request letter for medical staffing. The letter will be given to WHO and WHO will share it with NGOs.
Responsible: Dr. Daneshyar & WHO Deadline: 23.10.04

TOP 76 Information Mr. Fritz Neuberg " that Eng. Karimi has told People In Need contractor that is working on 22^nd of Bahman UHC to move their structure and relocate it to the middle of the land site and this will cost PIN around ₤30,000 more."
Responsible: Eng. Karimi Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 77 Information Eng. Karimi "that PIN was supposed to finalize the location of plans in the land site with MoH but they have just informed me that they have started the project on the site and have faced a problem now."
Responsible: Eng. Karimi Deadline: --.--.--

TOP 78 Agreement that WHO will hold a trilateral meeting with MoH/ Bam, and PIN to discuss this issue and resolve the problem.
Responsible: Dr. S. Talebian Deadline: 26.10.04

TOP 79 Next meeting: October 26, 2004 14.00 hours Un Camp

Minutes of Health Meeting on 25th October

2004-10-31T13:43:00.000+03:30

Participants: ASB, Caritas, IFRC, Merlin, NPC, MEDAIR

WHO:

We had a meeting with Dr. Daneshyar, Head of Health Network. He requested connexes and equipment for mental ill clinic. WHO will share the letter of request from MOH with interested NGOs.

IFRC:

We will continue OPD services of the IFRC hospital until further notice/assessment result comes out.
We have already stopped free medicine for outpatient service.

NPC:

As you know, the NGO NPC has started a census in Bam. Actually the plan of this census is doing a survey to find vulnerable groups after earthquake. The census for Baravat has been already collected. However, the census for the city of Bam is still underway.
The census is being done using trained volunteers.
In Bam about 10725 families have been identified and the data of 45460 inhabitants has been entered in Database so far. This relates to the inhabitants of the zones 3, 8, 9, 11 and 12.

MEDAIR:

We believe that there still exists the need for our presence in Bam. However we have to secure funds necessary for the continuation of our activities. We appreciate if any NGO can help us in this respect.

WHO:

We will check it with some agencies and inform you.

Merlin:

We have provided 5 connexes for Behvarz training. But the connexes have not been connected to the electricity.

WHO:

We will discuss the issue with MOH and will inform you as soon as possible.

Merlin:

UNICEF had provided cool boxes and vaccine carries to be distributed in the health houses by the MOH. But some of them have got stuck in RHCs like Rostamabad, where should have been distributed to Health Houses.

WHO:

We will follow up the issue with MOH.

Caritas:

We are distributing latrines and showers for Spinal cord injured cases. We are also going to provide beds and mattresses for these cases.
We are also supporting Imam Reza rehabilitation center providing some facilities like heating systems.
Actually our plan is covering the need of SCI cases in Bam and Barawat. There will be a team including physiotherapist and nurses, to visit the SCI cases in their home. Caritas, SWO and Imam Reza Rehabilitation Center are collaborating with each other to get to this purpose.

WHO:

We are pushing the donors to release the funds already allocated for our programs. As soon as we get the budget, we are also going to provide ambulances for UHCs.
About the lands which should be allocated for reconstruction of the UHCs, the allocation of 4 lands is not still clear. Three UHCs were supposed to be built by Swiss Red Cross and IFRC. It is not decided yet so that some issues should be finalized whether the SRC would like to proceed with the UHCs reconstruction program or not. Hence, we are waiting for the result from SRC.

2004-10-31T13:37:00.000+03:30

Japan donates one million yen to Bam
Persian Journal - Iran
A Japanese film production company donated one million yen in cash to the quake-stricken residents of the city of Bam in Iran's southeast Kerman province...

2004-10-29T23:37:00.000+03:30

WHO inform...
WHO is holding a trilateral meeting with Ministry of Health new representative to the region, and international NGOs on Monday 1st NOV, 2004 at 2:30 PM in the UN Camp Meeting tent. It is a pleasure to inform you that DR. Mubashar Riaz Sheikh, WHO representative, will be among us in the meeting. The agenda of the meeting will be focused on the review and discussions of the health activities in the District of Bam and future perspective. You are kindly invited to join us with your active participation in the meeting.

Dr. Shahram Talebian

WHO- Bam Program Manager
Source: bamhealth: Bam Health Coordination Mailing List

2004-10-29T01:33:00.000+03:30

Development: Listen to Locals, Red Cross Tells Aid Agencies
AllAfrica.com - Africa
Never underestimate the power of human resilience. When all seems lost, the capacity of disaster-affected people to pull together and not give up has never ceased to amaze relief workers.
[...]
The report cites the December 2003 massive earthquake that destroyed 85 percent of the Iranian city of Bam and killed nearly 30,000.
Read more

100,000 civilians have died from Iraq War and aftermath

2004-10-28T23:33:00.000+03:30

PARIS, Oct 28 (AFP) - Around 100,000 Iraqi civilians have died as a result of the March 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq, more than half of them from violence, according to an estimate to be published on Friday by the British medical weekly The Lancet. Read more
Source URL: http://www.afp.com

World Bank loan to support Iran's reconstruction efforts following Bam earthquake

2004-10-28T23:12:00.000+03:30

WASHINGTON, October 28, 2004 - The World Bank today approved a $220 million loan to the Government of Iran for a project to help restore the living conditions of communities in the southeastern city of Bam which was struck by a powerful earthquake nearly a year ago. Read more

Media Contact:
Sereen Juma (202) 473-7199
sjuma@worldbank.org
For information on the World Bank's activities in Iran, please visit:
http://www.worldbank.org/ir

Related Documents:
Latest Emergency Updates: Iran: Earthquake - Dec 2003
Latest By Country: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Other ReliefWeb documents by: World Bank
Source URL: http://www.worldbank.org

2004-10-27T22:57:00.000+03:30

Red Cross: Local Authorities Key in Disaster Response
Voice of America - Washington,DC,USA
In its annual World Disasters Report, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports nearly 77,000 people were killed in natural disasters last year.
That's three times higher than the year before.But the agency says local communities themselves are usually best suited to cope with and overcome the worst effects of natural disasters.
[...]
A case in point is the devastating earthquake, which hit the historic Iranian city of Bam in December 2003. Approximately 30,000 people were killed and another 30,000 injured. About 85 percent of the city's buildings were destroyed.
The editor of the Disaster Report, Jonathan Walter, says 34 international rescue teams found 22 people alive, whereas local Red Crescent volunteers saved nearly 160 lives. He says neighbors and volunteers from other provinces and local organizations saved hundreds more.

Quake risk increases: expert
Khaleej Times - Dubai,United Arab Emirates
The risk of an earthquake as strong as 6 to 6.5 on the Richter scale striking the northern UAE in the near future has increased, especially after a series of mild and minor tremors felt in Dibba Al Fujairah over the last 10 days, said Dr Azm Al Homoud, Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of Earthquake Monitoring Centre at the American University of Sharjah (AUS).
[...]
He said that before and after the Bam earthquake in Iran, Dibba had recorded around 35 tremors. Bam is around 200km of the Zagros fault zone and so is the UAE from the Zagros band, making the northern part of the country more susceptible to the seismic disaster.

2004-10-26T14:24:00.000+03:30

1st phase of Bam rebuilding project completed
LONDON, Oct 26 (IranMania) - First phase of Bam reconstruction project was completed and put to use on anniversary of city killer quake at presence of First...

2004-10-25T14:22:00.000+03:30

Aref visits quake-hit city of Bam
According to Iran's Official News Agency (IRNA), first Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref arrived in the quake-hit city of Bam, southwestern Iran ...

Bam girls to receive skills training
LONDON, Oct 25 (IranMania) - A job generation and skills training scheme is underway for 200 girls from the quake-stricken city of Bam who are not supported by ...

United Nations Day celebrated in Tehran
... "The UN team has been working in the quake-hit city of Bam in Kerman province since the afternoon of December 26. The UN agencies ...

Minutes of Health Forums

2004-10-22T01:23:00.000+03:30

Minutes of Health Meeting on 4th October
Venue: UN Camp
Date: 4th Oct. 2004
Time: 17:00 Hours
Chairman: Dr. Shahram Talebian -WHO
Keeper of the Minutes: Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost-WHO

Participants:
1- Dr. Noor Amed Merlin
2- Mr. Ferenc Tisch Aid 24
3- Dr. Shahram Talebian WHO
4- Mr. Fritz Neuberg ADRA
5- Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost WHO
6- Mr. Karimi MoH
7- Mr. Jalali MoH
8- Dr. Ali Eghtesadi WHO
9- Sister Sylvie Toison Caritas
10- Ms Mina Tajabadi NPC
11- Ms Mina Kalantari MC
12- Mehdi Dadras ADRA
13- Mr. Mohammad Reza Paujalizade ACF Spain
14- Ana Ruit Bascaran ACF Spain

Agenda:
1- List of problems faced by NGOs
2- Mechanism needed for solving problems
3- Activities done by NGOs

Introduction:
Dr. Talebian started the meeting with welcome notes expressed to everyone in the meeting. He introduced himself to the participants. He requested NGOs to contribute to the meeting by sharing information and active participation.

General Disscussion:
NGOs expressed their concern about circulation of information and time management in MOH and other government organizations and asked MOH to prompt the initiative to improve the situation. NGOs also asked WHO to take the lead in such initiative.

Dr. Talebian appreciated frankness of expression from all participants and in response said: WHO has no role than to facilitate NGOs activities in Bam but in direct coordination with the government sector and MOH. He added that WHO is not an implementing agency but it would ask the government to help in health project implementations. He added that WHO can only express its concern which could reflect NGOs concern to the government and in another sense, WHO can fill the communication gap between the different sides.

Dr. Talebian promised that the things in near future would become more realistic, and WHO would be accountable for whatever promises it would give.

Mr. Fritz Neuberg said NGOs have got lots of capacity to understand the limits and tried to cope with all of them, but everything has got some limits and we want MoH and other Governmental Sectors understands our limitations too.

Dr. Talebian said that limitations of all sides need to be considered and some patience is needed to get to a fruitful result.

Mr. Ferenc Tisch said we have got one Medical team and one ambulance to get dispatched from Hungary to Bam, but for so long they are waiting for receiving Visas. He wondered why getting Visas for humanitarian aids are so difficult. He asked WHO to facilitate the visa process through the means available to the organization.

NGOs requested MoH to keep up with the timing schedule of the projects. They asked MOH to consider the limitations of the NGOs in order to help them running their projects.
NGOs also express their concern for more delay in implementation of their projects. They noted that if the timeframe is not met they will face facing difficulties with their donors.

Reporting:

Dr. Noor from Merlin:
Behverz training course will be completed within 7 weeks . At present we are monitoring the impact of training.

Mr. Ferenc Tisch from Aid 24
MoH has already asked AID 24 to send a medical team to Rigan (village) which is located some 80 Km away from Bam. He added that the security condition is not satisfactory in Rigan. Therefore AID 24 is not willing to send a team to the village as long as the security condition remains the same.
Mr. Tisch asked MOH to guarantee the security of the staff before AID 24 can reconsider responding to the need.

Ms Mina Kalantari from Mercy Corps:
29 Health Houses were equipped by Mercy Corps. Also 5 containers have been handed over to MoH.
She added that some 2000 mosquito nets has been given to MoH for delivery but after 1.5 months still its wthin MOH storehouse and not distributed.

Eng Jalali replied that for the reason of bad odor and smell from mosquito nets MOH decided not to deliver them until a certificate of safety is issued by central MOH in Tehran. He promised to follow up the issue and report to the group by the next session.

Ms Ana Ruit Bascaran from ACF:
ACF is going to provide medical equipment (growth monitoring item) to 25 Health Houses which got affected by the earthquake.

Sister Sylvie Toison from Caritas:
Caritas basic aim is to help poor and needy people .She added that Caritas mandate in Bam is tom provide help to the handicapped people.

Minutes of Health Meeting on 10th October

Participants: ACF-Spain, ASB, Caritas, Merlin, MoH-Bam, NPC, Guest:Dr. Malek from Ministry of Health in Tehran, WHO

WHO:
The Director General and Regional Director of WHO will be in Bam tomorrow. There will be a meeting between NGOs, WHO and MoH in presence of the WHO's high ranking authorities. WHO formally invited NGOs to attend the meeting.

ACF-Spain:

ACF is doing a survey on Nutritional situation in Bam and Barawat in order to estimate the malnutrition rate based on the indicators already designed for the questionnaires. The survey will last 10 days and today is the day 6 of the project. We have so far completed 300 questionnaires and out of which 208 questionnaires have been analyzed. Until now there have been 12 malnutrition cases. The population sample for the survey is 500 individuals.
ACF has started the distribution of growth monitoring equipment for 28 Health Houses as of yesterday.

Nejat:

Nejat has started running a census in Bam. Actually the aim of this census is to find out the situation of the vulnerable groups after the earthquake. The first part of the operation was done in Barawat. Now the second part is being conducted in Bam.
The census is being undertaken by means of trained volunteers.
9048 families have been identified and the data of 38100 inhabitants has been entered in Database so far.

Caritas-Swiss:

Caritas has a rehabilitation program using a group including two nurses to find and support the handicaps and also cases who need physiotherapy. Caritas noted that some of the adult handicapped cases have malnutrition problem.
Caritas is planning to assist these malnutrition cases with the cooperation of ACF-Spain.
Caritas considers a program to support the handicapped cases following major orthopedic surgery. For the reason, Caritas is going to send a physiotherapist to visit the patients in their homes.

MoH (Eng. Karimi):

MoH proposes providing the handicapped people with a TV set through NGOs willing to help these people.

Caritas-Swiss:

Caritas expresses its concern for the residence of these handicaps and ask the government to look into the issue.

WHO:

Does Caritas also have program for social support of Handicaps?

Caritas-Swiss:

Caritas has no specific program for their social support except for the programs already mentioned. Caritas may have some programs for the income generation of the handicapped people.

Merlin:

Merlin will provide medical equipment for five Rural Health Centers and 28 Health Houses. Merlin has equipped three health centers and seven health houses so far.
Merlin has finished the repairing of two health houses out of seven. Repairing of Four health houses will be finished till end of this week. And the last one is under consideration.
Merlin is supposed to construct seven health houses. However the project is not yet started. Unfortunately Merlin has lost its donors for four health houses. For other three health houses Merlin is waiting for green signal from the other donors. There is a possibility that Merlin would change the program from reconstruction Health Houses to repair.
Merlin will also provide a 3mX12m container to MoH for Behvarz training center.
Merlin will equip the Health Network Laboratory for about 20,000 Euros.
Merlin will run a survey to find out the outcome of Behvarz training programs and will check the health houses already built and equipped.

ASB:

ASB is waiting for MOH to get the land for reconstruction activity to start for the Health Network laboratory.

WHO:

WHO commented that local contractors for reconstruction know how to deal with the formal procedures to get the approval letter from the Ministry of Housing and there is no need for the NGOs to deal with the issues directly.

Merlin:

Merlin expressed its concern for getting Iranian visa for the expatriates and asked MOH and WHO to facilitate the process.

Dr. Malek from central MOH:

NGOs should provide MOH with an MOU or any signed agreement with the government that shows their planned activities and projects in Bam and the timeframe set for their activities.
Dr. Malek added that any extension of visa for NGOs needs the permission from the Ministry of Interior in addition to the authorization taken from the Ministry of the foreign affairs.
He promised to facilitate the processes upon written request from the NGOs.

Merlin:

Merlin asked WHO to change the timing of the Health Meeting during the Fasting month of Ramadan.

WHO:

WHO proposed 3:00 pm for the meeting hour during Ramadan and all agreed on the timing. However WHO asked all NGOs to wait for its finalization with the UNDP as the place belongs to them.

International Blue Crescent Humanitarian Relief and Development Foundation (IBC) has provided disaster management training for Iranian NGO's

2004-10-20T23:40:00.000+03:30

International Blue Crescent Humanitarian Relief and Development Foundation(IBC)has organised a disaster management training course for 28 Iranian officials and NGO representatives between 03-13 October 2004.The training organised in I.stanbul has been provided by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center APDC trainers under the supervision of Profesor Doctor Ahmet Mete Isikara. Read more

2004-10-10T15:54:00.000+03:30

2 temblors shake buildings, fuel fear
Chicago Tribune (subscription) - Chicago,IL,USA
... Iran is located on seismic fault lines and is prone to earthquakes. A December earthquake in Bam, in southeastern Iran, killed 26,000 people.

GERMANY DENY IRAN
sportinglife.com - UK
Germany prevailed 2-0 but it was the people of the Iranian city of Bam who were the real winners. The aim of the match, watched ...

Bam Ancient Body Remains Reach 36, Iran
Persian Journal - Iran
The upsurge in the number of skeletons found in the surviving walls of the Bam Citadel, southern Iran, has tossed the biggest mystery for local archeologists ...

Northeast Iran Rattled by Strong Quake
Miami Herald (subscription) - Miami,FL,USA
... and is prone to earthquakes. A December earthquake in Bam, in southeastern Iran, measured 6.6 magnitude and killed 26,000 people.

Iran: Earthquakes jolt Agh Ghal`a in Golestan province 12 times
Payvand - Iran
... to Tehran University Geophysical Institute reported on Friday an earthquake measuring 4.3 degrees on the richter scale jolted areas close to Bam city on Kerman ...

Health Coordination Boards

2004-10-10T01:01:00.000+03:30

Health Coordination Board (4th) - Bam
Venue: UN camp
Date: 28/Sept/2004
Chairman: Mr. Fritz Neuberg
Keeper of the minutes: Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost
Translator: Dr. Ali Eghtesadi

Participants: Dr. Abassi (Head of Health centre in Bam), Dr. Shahram Talebian (WHO Head of Mission in Bam), Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost (WHO-Bam Technical advisor), Eng. Karimi (Construction advisor - MOH-Bam), Fritz Neuberg (ADRA project manager), Dr. Ali Eghtesadi (WHO-Bam program assistant), Patrick G. Parsons (Project coordinator- Merlin), Leila Zamani (Interpreter - Merlin), Golriz Zamyad (Interpreter – Merlin)

The participants welcomed Dr. Talebian as the new head of WHO mission in Bam. Dr. Talebian asked Mr. Neuberg to chair the meeting. Mr Fritz Neuberg accepted the offer and added that from next session onwards the chairmanship of the meeting would be with WHO.

Then the meeting proceeded with participants going over the minutes of the previous meetings (2 & 3) and reaching a consensus for their finalisation. Eng. Karimi informed the board that special consultant from Ministry of Housing has been contacted and he pushed him to close his eyes for any minor mismatch with the standards of the ministry (Ref to: Operation Technology) and hopefully within one week the small problems would be sorted out.

Topics:
The changes made to minutes No. 2 and 3 are as follows:

Topics 19 to 22 No change

TOP 23
If NGO’s get no response 7 days after handing over of the construction plans to Ministry of Housing the plans are to be considered as approved by Iranian law. And NGOs can start their projects.

Top 25
Topic 25 remained the same. However NGOs asked WHO to follow up on the issue.
Mr. Karimi shared with the participants a piece of news that the land for IBC –Turkey will be given to the NGO very soon.

Topics 26 to 33 No change
New information: Dr. Abbassi promised to follow the allocation of land need for IBC-Turkey

TOP 34 Will be discussed again in the next CB meeting.

TOP 35 Corrected that: Ministry of housing has access only to public land but not to private land.

TOP 37 Information: That Mr. Alavi gave evidence that he has delegated responsibility for land issues to Eng. Karimi. Mr. Alavi appointed Mr. Karimi as director of land allocation. This means that Mr. Karimi is authorized to buy land. The Municipality will facilitate Eng. Karimi.

TOP 38 No change
The board received the info that the necessary action has been taken place.

TOP 40 No change
Mr Fritz Neuberg informed the CB that as of next session Ms. Ana Ruiz Bascaran from ACF would be invited as a voting member to the coordination board.

TOP 41 Decision: UNICEF will be invited as non-voting member for the next Session.

TOP 42 –43 No change
WHO were asked to follow up with the information collected by the Authorities whether to provide an access to the database or whether the present Web sites ( e.g. http://www.bamtaskforce.com) improved.

TOP 44 Information: that updates about activities should be sent to Eng. Sedighi (Task force) as well as to WHO-Bam field office.

TOP 45 Decision: That Fritz Neuberg will inform all NGOs about TOP 43 and WHO will follow the matter.

TOP 46-52 No Change

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flash points of the Meeting

Eng. Karimi promised to follow up on the provision of land for the rural health centers. He also stated that they have not so far received any land from the municipality and also received no fund for buying the needed land for the Urban Health Centers.

Dr. Abbasi told the participants that MOH is not responsible for reconstruction issues, however MOH would assist all NGOs as well as WHO to meet their needs.
He also added that for allocation of land higher authorities have to decide and MOH –Bam role is to facilitate on those decisions.
He said that the land for IBC-Turkey will soon be retrieved and will be given to the NGO for the reconstruction purpose.
Dr. Abbasi confirmed once more that only Ministry of Housing has the authority to decide on public lands and any construction activity in these lands.
He asked Eng. Karimi to follow up on the land issue for the UHCs and RHCs as soon as possible and report to the CB in the next meeting.
Dr. Abbasi promised to identify the pieces of land for Dolat-Abad, Turk-Abad, Mohamad-Abad and Baghchamak within the coming days.

Dr. Talebian thanked all participants for the active presence and good discussions and promised to promote WHO role in the region.
He wished a better and more coordinated relationship to be established among the different agencies working together.

Mr. Fritz asked for more pressure from MOH-Bam on Ministry of Housing for the lands and other related issues such as plans/maps.

Mr. Patrick Parsons complained about the indecisiveness as well as lack of a unified approach by different government sectors in terms of technicality and mapping which affects the construction approval processes. As an example he said the technique adequate for the Ministry of Defence proved inadequate for the Ministry of Housing and this dual approach make NGOs disappointed.

Health Coordination Board (5th) -Bam
Venue: UN Camp
Date: 6/Oct/2004
Chairman: Dr. Shahram Talebian
Keeper of the minutes: Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost
Translator: Dr. Ali Eghtesadi

Participants:
-Dr. Abassi Head of Health Centre in Bam
-Dr. Shahram Talebian WHO Head of Mission in Bam
-Dr. Mahmood Yazdandoost WHO-Bam Technical Advisor
-Eng. Karimi Construction Advisor MoH-Bam
-Dr. Ali Eghtesadi WHO-Bam Program Assistant
-Mr. Fritz Neuberg ADRA Project Manager

Dr. Talebian started the meeting with asking Mr. Neuberg about his comments on minute No. 4.
Mr. Neuberg appreciated WHO for preparing the minutes and expressed his satisfaction with the changes made to the content of minutes No.4 and then requested for some minor information correction and the format of the minutes.

The points of consideration are as follows:

Up to TOP 39 no change.

TOP 40
Mr. Fritz Neuberg will follow up with Ms. Ana Ruiz Bascaran to attend the next meeting.

From TOP 41 to TOP 52: No Change

The Flash Points of the Meeting requested to follow Topic Numbers.

So the Minutes No. 4 Flash Points would follow TOP No. as:

TOP 53 Information: Eng. Karimi promised to follow up on the provision of land for the rural health centers. He also stated that they have not so far received any land from the municipality and also received no fund for buying the needed land for the Urban Health Centers.

TOP 54 Information: Dr. Abbasi told the participants that MoH is not responsible for reconstruction issues. However, MoH would assist all NGOs as well as WHO, to meet their needs. He also added that for allocation of land higher authorities have to decide and MoH-Bam role is to facilitate on those decisions.

TOP 55 Information: Dr. Abbasi said the land for IBC-Turkey will soon be retrieved and will be given to the NGO for the reconstruction purpose.

TOP 56 Confirmation: Dr. Abbasi confirmed that only Ministry of Housing has the authority to decide on public lands and any construction activity on these lands.

TOP 57 Follow up: Dr. Abbasi asked Eng. Karimi to follow up on the land issue for the UHCs and RHCs as soon as possible and report to the CB in the next meeting.

TOP 58 Information: Dr. Abbasi promised to identify the pieces of land for Dolat-Abad, Turk-Abad, Mohamad-Abad and Baghchamak within the coming days.

TOP 59 Statement: Dr. Talebian thanked all participants for the active presence and good discussions and promised to go for full WHO role in the region. He wished a better and more coordinated relationship to be established among the different agencies working together.

TOP 60 Statement: Mr. neuberg asked for more improvement on relationship with Ministry of Housing through Ministry of Health.

TOP 61 Information: Mr. Patrick Parsons concerned about the indecisiveness as well as lack of a unified approach by different government sectors in terms of technicality and mapping which affects the construction approval processes. As an example he said the technique adequate for the Ministry of Defence proved inadequate for the Ministry of Housing and this dual approach make NGOs disappointed.

TOP 62 Information: Dr. Abbasi said in total there are 90 physically existing Health Houses in the District of Bam, but according to development program 18 more needed to get established.

TOP 63 Information: Dr. Abbasi said at present for getting land we do not have any problem but for construction we need money if NGOs are interested to fund for construction of HH they are most welcomed.

TOP 64 Information: Eng. Karimi said some of the HH before earthquake were in good conditions but through earthquake got damaged, which at present needs repairing or demolishing and rebuilding but some were not in a good condition even before earthquake, for them it was the plan for reconstruction even before the earthquake.

TOP 65 Suggestion: Mr. Fritz Neuberg requested the list of HH which according to MoH Development Plan needs to get established to be circulated among NGOs and the following information also clearly for avoiding of any further confusion to be given. The needed information for following questions requested:
- Is the land already ready?
- What is the reason for establishment of HH in that area?
- What is the population of catchment's areas?
- How much is the estimated costs?
- Who is the contact person?
- Is there any access road? If not who provides the access road?
- Is there enough water available? If not who provides water?
- Is there electricity available? If not who provides electricity?
- Will there be any one there as care taker?

TOP 66 Request: Mr. Fritz Neuberg requested the update of information through web site by Task Force.

2004-10-06T17:48:00.000+03:30

Rome to Host International Conference on Bam
Payvand - Iran
An international conference on the Bam Citadel, world's oldest adobe structure which was ruined last year in a massive quake, would be attended by over 200 ...

No Disease Diagnosed for Mysterious Death of Bam Kids
Payvand - Iran
Following a set of anthropological studies on remains of 8 children unearthed inside the embankment of the Bam Citadel, experts diagnosed no disease as their ...

Klinsmann urges German aid for Bam victims
IranMania News - Iran
... called on his compatriots to continue their efforts to aid the victims of last December`s devastating earthquake in the southeastern Iranian city of Bam. ...

Irán juega con fuego

2004-09-27T19:33:00.000+03:30

EDITORIAL
EL PAÍS- Opinión / 27-09-2004

El Organismo Internacional para la Energía Atómica (OIEA) ha advertido contundentemente a Irán para que suspenda el enriquecimiento de uranio y facilite el detalle de su programa nuclear antes de la reunión del órgano de vigilancia de la ONU el próximo noviembre. La desafiante respuesta de los ayatolás ha llegado esta misma semana anunciando la conversión de 37 toneladas de óxido de uranio en el gas necesario para su enriquecimiento tras un proceso de centrifugación. El presidente Jatamí afirma que la comunidad internacional debe reconocer el derecho de Irán a disponer de combustible atómico para usos pacíficos.

La huida hacia adelante iraní apunta a un enfrentamiento potencialmente desastroso con EE UU. Hace dos años que Irán y el OIEA mantienen un peligroso tira y afloja en el que ha quedado probado que el régimen teocrático ha violado el Tratado de No Proliferación Nuclear y mentido sistemáticamente sobre la marcha de su programa pretendidamente civil. Las afirmaciones de Jatamí son en este contexto papel mojado. Y así se lo valora incluso la tripleta europea -Reino Unido, Alemania, Francia-, que hace poco más de un año alcanzó con Teherán, tras un gran esfuerzo diplomático, un acuerdo de buena fe por el que el régimen iraní se comprometía a suspender temporalmente cualquier actividad relacionada con el enriquecimiento de uranio.

Teherán, que amenaza con abandonar el Tratado de No Proliferación Nuclear, pretende usar en su provecho las discrepancias entre la UE y EE UU. Pero los mediadores europeos que han servido como escudo frente a la impaciencia estadounidense han hecho notar privadamente al régimen iraní que debe cumplir inexcusablemente las exigencias del OIEA. Incluso Putin, que coopera con Irán en la construcción de un reactor, acaba de ser explícito en el mismo sentido. A nadie le interesa el surgimiento de un nuevo poder atómico en una zona crítica dominada por el polvorín iraquí y en cuya vecindad, además de Israel, tienen el arma nuclear Rusia, India o Pakistán.

Irán, en manos de los clérigos más radicales desde la farsa electoral de febrero, y sin auténtica oposición interna, juega una partida arriesgada que podría acabar en la imposición de sanciones económicas por el Consejo de Seguridad. Pero más allá de esta grave posibilidad está el nerviosismo de la actual Administración estadounidense, en cuyo seno hay decididos partidarios de las soluciones drásticas. Y sería iluso por parte de los ayatolás esperar que un cambio en la Casa Blanca el próximo noviembre afectara favorablemente a sus peligrosas ambiciones nucleares.
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IBC intensifying community rehabilitation initiatives in Bam, Iran

2004-09-25T21:25:00.000+03:30

Source: International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation
Date: 13 Sept 2004

IBC is intensifying its community rehabilitation activities in earthquake hit city of Bam-Iran..In addition to the Children Social Centers and Laudry services IBC's Community Rehabilitation and Safe Building Project gets general support from the community itself .

On the 2nd of August 2004, the 4 members of the Community Rehabilitation team (Danial Shahzamanian, Delaram Ali, Ali Broomand and Elaheh Masahi), SBP - Safe Building Project Manager (Mehul Savla) and SBP Assistant (Saeed Hoonaramouz), together with IBC Bam Manager (Ana Oprisan) met for deciding and planning the rehabilitation and community participation small projects in Khayam street neighborhood, zone 2 of Bam. Read more

Towards the reconstruction of Bam
Source: International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation
Date: 20 Sept 2004

Along with other rehabilitation projects run in Bam, since the month of May 2004, IBC is running a Safe Building Project which consists in the introduction of the compressed interlocking earthen blocks, building technology used successfully by IBC partner - CRS - for the construction of 3.000 houses for the victims of the earthquake in Gujarat / India. During the project there were trained 29 masons, for working with Aureka special blocks machines (broth from India to Bam), under the supervision of 2 Indian specialists (Architect Mehul Savla and Engineer Kiran Joshi). Also there was started the construction of two demonstration houses in Bam, one at the exhibition site of the Housing Foundation - the lead institution on reconstruction of Bam, and one in the city of Bam... Read more

In natural disasters, cadavers pose no threat of disease
Source: Pan American Health Organization
Date: 23 Sept 2004

Contrary to popular belief, epidemics do not occur spontaneously after a natural disaster, and dead bodies will not lead to catastrophic outbreaks of exotic diseases, according to disaster experts at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

The belief that dead bodies pose a serious health threat often leads authorities to take misguided action, such as mass burials, which can add to the burden of suffering already experienced by survivors. This theme arose Thursday following reports that the death count in Haiti due to flooding from Tropical Storm Jeanne has now climbed above 1,013... Read more

Bam's Red Crescent hospital at the crossroads
Source: IFRC
Date: 23 Sept 2004

There are two main hubs of activity in Bam. One is at the cross-roads at the entrance to the town, just off the main road between Kerman and Zahedan.

This is where the inter-city bus stops and where a straggle of corrugated sheds zigzag along the side of the road, tables laden with enticing goods spilling into the traffic. People mill about, slowing down to admire the latest in shoes, pulling their children past the enticing display of dolls or stopping to inspect the ornate clocks - all ticking in time. Read more

Red Cross Red Crescent remains to meet Bam's long-term needs
Source: IFRC
Date: 24 Sept 2004

Nine months after a devastating earthquake reduced the Iranian city of Bam to rubble, the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS), backed by the International Federation, continues to meet the extensive needs of the city's population. The latest example of the Red Cross Red Crescent's long-term commitment to the people of Bam is the transfer this week of the city's hospital from the tented facilities in which it has been since the disaster to a new prefabricated construction... Read more

Related Documents:

Latest Emergency Updates: Iran: Earthquake - Dec 2003, Caribbean: Tropical Storm Jeanne - Sep 2004
Latest By Country: Iran (Islamic Republic of), Haiti
Other ReliefWeb documents by: International Blue Crescent Relief and Development Foundation, Pan American Health Organization, IFRC

It's Iran More Than Iraq

2004-09-23T03:03:00.000+03:30

Two years from now, during either a Kerry or Bush presidency, Iran will probably be much more of a security issue for the United States than Iraq.
csmonitor.com from the September 23, 2004 edition

Also in csmonitor.com: Anti-Iran sentiment hardening fast

Google News: all 868 related »

Bam Earthquake

2004-09-22T20:53:00.000+03:30

Events:

Nine months after the earthquake, the health situation in Bam is characterized by inadequate access to curative care, insufficient primary health care services, unsafe drinking water and poor environmental health resulting from irregular waste collection and disposal.

Reconstruction of health facilities is underway. The main private hospital has been re-inaugurated, and another hospital and 12 Health Houses are either being or have been reconstructed.

Actions:

WHO is supporting the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoH&ME) in facilitating weekly health sector coordination meetings with participants from several different international organizations and NGOs.

At present, WHO is preparing to re-equip 12 Urban Health Centres (UHCs), two general polyclinics, the District Health Network Centre, the District Health Centre, and the Behvarz Training Centre. In addition, it will procure nine ambulances.

WHO, together with MoH&ME, has developed an extensive training programme. The programme entails Continuous Medical Education (CME) training for 60 physicians and Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) training for PHC health staff in Bam.

WHO's reconstruction of Bam as a "Healthy City" is being supported by the Australian Government. An office is established in the Governor's Office and several coordination and planning workshops have been held.

WHO is supporting MoH&ME in conducting a feasibility study for the establishment of a secretariat for health issues in crises.

Funding for WHO operations in Bam is provided by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the governments of Norway and Australia.

From: www.reliefweb.int

2004-09-19T23:07:00.000+04:30

US Says 'Clock is Ticking' for Iran
Voice of America
A senior US official says Iran should comply with a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency and freeze all uranium-enrichment activities.

Iran will not abandon civilian nuclear program: Majlis speaker
Tehran Times

all 1,055 related »

Bam Citadel Reconstruction Conference in Lyon

2004-09-10T13:57:00.000+04:30

LONDON, Sep 9 ( IranMania) - The Bam Citadel International Conference opened in Lyon, France.
According to Iran's Mehr News Agency several Iranian and international experts as well as Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (CHTO) officials involved in the Bam Citadel reconstruction project are attending the four-day conference. More

ACHAEMENID Settlement Discovered near Bam

2004-09-06T16:58:00.000+04:30

Persian Journal - Iran
Iranian archeologists have managed to discover some signs of Achaemenid settlements near the ancient southern city of Bam, almost completely ruined in a horrendous earthquake last December.
http://www.iranian.ws/iran_news/publish/article_3607.shtml

Be ready!

2004-09-02T15:51:00.000+04:30

Infamous Tomás López will be back in Bam soon.
He was working there with ACH-Spain for six months.
Now is going back with Spanish Red Cross for three months
to finalize de emergency project.

We all from Spain wish all the best to him in Bam,
and advice Bam City to be careful!

Read the testimony of his experience in Bam (in spanish)
http://www.accioncontraelhambre.org/ach.php?url=ent_hidro

Iran raises Bam quake death toll to nearly 31,000

2004-09-02T15:08:00.000+04:30

Reuters

TEHRAN, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Iran on Wednesday revised upwards the number killed when an earthquake destroyed the ancient Silk Road city of Bam last December to nearly 31,000 from a previous estimate of around 26,000. "Based on the latest statistics, 30,948 were killed in the catastrophic disaster in Bam," Kerman Governor General Mohammad Ali Karimi was quoted by the official IRNA news agency as saying. Karimi gave no explanation for the death toll revision but another local official told Reuters the number may rise further. "The figure is growing as people legally register the death of their relatives," said the official, who declined to be named.

CHRONOLOGY-Major earthquakes in Iran

Bam, Iran-new toilets help families get back to normality

2004-09-02T15:02:00.000+04:30

By Judy Moore
World Vision has installed 2,487 temporary latrines, water tanks and showers in Bam, Iran where an earthquake eight months ago destroyed most of the town’s infrastructure and killed approximately 26,000 people.
http://meero.worldvision.org (published on August 25)

Dateline ACT Iran 05/04: Orphans in Bam haunted by memories

2004-08-31T21:35:00.000+04:30

Source: Action by Churches Together International
Date: 30 Aug 2004
By Rainer Lang, EPD/ACT International

Bam, Iran, August 30, 2004 - The look in the eyes of the two children tells a story of fear. Ten-year-old Sahar and her 7-year-old brother, Sajad, are orphans. Their parents were two of the approximately 40,000 people who died in the earthquake in the Iranian city of Bam on December 26, 2003.

The children came with their uncle to a gathering of about 200 orphans and their relatives in the United Nations compound in Bam where information was to be given about the future of orphans, including the possibilities for adoption. The U.N. estimates that the earthquake claimed the lives of one or both parents of approximately 7,500 children. Diakonie Emergency Aid (DEA), a member of Action by Churches Together (ACT) International, a global alliance of churches and related agencies, is building an orphanage in Bam where children like Sahar and Sajad can find a new home.

After some hesitation, Sahar and Sajad agreed to talk about what they experienced in the earthquake. They sat closely together on a chair. It seemed as if they needed this closeness. Sahar spoke first about how she was visiting her grandparents at that time, because she wanted to be with her cousin who was living there. When she spoke about how she had insisted on the visit, she started to cry. At the sight of his sister crying, Sajad could not hold his tears back.

Still sobbing, Sahar continued. Because Sajad had not wanted to stay at home alone with his parents, he had pushed the whole evening to join his sister at their grandparents' place. Late that evening, their father brought him there. When they returned to their house the next morning, they found only the rubble that had also buried their parents underneath, while nothing had happened to them at their grandparents' house.

Sahar stopped talking. She could not continue - her memories were unbearable. Nobody has helped her cope with them. Sahar's last memories of her father are when he picked her up at school to bring her to their grandparents' home.

The children's uncle, Moud Qasim, who has been taking care of them, told how difficult it has been for them to live with the memories. He said each time they went to their old house, they would dig with their hands in the sand, trying to find something. One can still see the desperation and shock from what happened in the eyes of the children. Only once, for a brief moment, did the grief leave Sahar's eyes when she said she would like to become a teacher.

Most of the children who share the fate of Sahar and Sajad are being cared for by relatives - grandparents or aunts and uncles. But it became clear during the meeting that Sahar and Sajad's uncle cannot bear the burden any longer because he himself lost everything in the earthquake. Qasim presented the papers given to him by the authorities that prove the children are orphans. Like many others, he is looking for a place where the two children can live. But all the orphanages in Bam were destroyed in the quake, and new ones have to be built. The government has given priority to such projects, but reconstruction in Bam is slow. So the uncle continues to wait for help.

The orphanage DEA is building will house 25 children up to 12 years old. DEA, along with ACT member HEKS, the aid agency of the Protestant churches in Switzerland, is helping other quake survivors who also have housing needs. Families in four of the 22 villages around Bam that were completely destroyed are being assisted with the construction of new, earthquake-proof houses. By June of this year, the foundations of approximately 50 houses were finished, with a total of 213 houses expected.

Two other ACT members, ACT Netherlands and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, are providing psychological assistance to address the other type of help the survivors like Sahar and Sajad need, but the needs are overwhelming. However, those who can offer assistance are there to help in whatever small ways they can.

Related Documents:
Latest Emergency Updates: Iran: Earthquake - Dec 2003
Latest By Country: Iran (Islamic Republic of)
Other ReliefWeb documents by: Action by Churches Together International
Source URL: http://www.act-intl.org

Results from Community Health Workers and Family Questionnaires

2004-08-27T21:33:00.000+04:30

Community Health Workers and families were surveyed in Zones 8 and 1 using the questionnaire developed in collaboration with Oxfam and approved by the MoH. Mercy Corps visited the weekly Community Health Workers meeting for both zones and interviewed families within these communities. In Zone 1, only 17 out of the reported 35 CHWs attended the weekly meeting, and in Zone 8 only 9 out of the reported 25 CHWs were present. Fifxy six families were interviewed through out Zone 1 (Espican-17, Postroud -14, Lakezabad-13, Tamik -12) and forty families were interviewed in Zone 8.

Results from Community Health Workers:

In Zone 1, the CHWs felt they were not able to respond adequately to the needs of the people (clean water, sanitation etc) and as a result, were not respected or listened to in the community. In addition, as many CHWs themselves are lacking adequate sanitation facilities, they are not motivated to work.

Half of the community health workers from both zones felt their training in communication skills was useful in increasing their ability to communicate with people, but that the health training was lacking.

The other half felt that the communication skills training was not useful, but believed the health classes could result in increased awareness among the population.

The majority of CHWs in Zone 8 reported to have not received a first aid kit.

The majority of CHWs in both zones felt discouraged lack of management and support from the MoH.

CHWs would like to receive additional training and support and follow through from the MoH. According to some CHWs, financial compensation for the polio vaccination campaign in May 2004 has still not been paid and many still not received mosquito nets.

Results from Interviewed Families:

Less than half of the families reported to have a CHW. From those families, all reported the visits were sporadic.

In Zone 8, those families who reported to have a CHW stated that the CHW never carried a First Aid Kit (please see above statement that CHWs in Zone 8 have not received First Aid Kits).

Similarly, the great majority of families in Zone 1 reported CHWs did not carry First Aid Kits and said that CHWs did not provide useful information.

Topics that families reported to want more information: water, general health, skin diseases, psychosocial problems, children's health.

Some families suggested group sessions within communities rather than family to family visit.

Conclusion:
Both CHWs and families interviewed expressed frustration with current services. Supporting Oxfam's findings, the CHWs expressed dissatisfaction with their current living circumstances and are not motivated/properly equipped or trained to disseminate health information into the communities. They reported to need additional support, education, and management from the side of the MoH.

Complicating the work of CHWs, families are frustrated with the lack of assistance from CHWs, have become discouraged by current health services and sanitation, and are now unreceptive to CHWs. The credibility of CHWs in the communities seems to have decreased since the earthquake as a result of unorganized visits to families and the inability of CHWs to provide solutions to health problems regarding poor water and sanitation. In turn, the CHWs are neither respected nor welcomed in many areas.

Nejat: Evaluation of First Aid training

2004-08-24T21:24:00.000+04:30

Evaluation of First Aid training imparted by Nejat is completed. CHWs & selected families were provided with questionnaires. The inferences were as follows:

I) 100% of CHWs trained felt that the training was good (contents, logistics, reference material) & useful (increase in knowledge base) & needs to be given regularly (by MoH in each zone)

II) CHWs reported that they all are equipped with First Aid kits but need more practice & refresher training to start using the material regularly & effectively. They reportedly asked for training for administering injections also.

III) CHWs complained about the bad (hot) weather conditions & claimed that they need facilities, incentives to work in such season. (There are no incentives, as of now, due to which there is a large turnover amongst the CHWs)

IV) CHWs stated that we attended in all MOH’s plans (polio vaccination plan, collecting data and take census) and MOH promised to give us some facilities such as payment (in each polio vaccination plan 150000 Rials), taking them to picnic, giving them treated bed nets and MoH has not fulfilled their promise till date.

V) Neither were the CHWs paid in kind of provided any vocational training that would create income generation opportunities in future. CHWs stated, they ask us if we want to have amount of money as payment or some classes to train them for tailoring, making flowers and … (after training you can sell your handicrafts and have income) by giving forms, we chose the second one bout they didn’t take action in this case.

VI) CHWs said that when we don’t have good health situation around our living places (because the lack of latrines and showers) how could we help the others?

VII) On the other side people expect us when we ask about their needs they see changes and improvements bout when they don’t see any change they won’t accept and trust us next time.

On the other side, people (families) felt that:

VIII) CHWs don’t visit the families regularly, unlike the initial days of the earthquake. (60% felt that CHWs don’t come at all!)

IX) CHWs should be provided training regarding the women’s diseases/problems & referral services. (55%)

X) MOH must give some facilities to CHWs till they refer to people at least one time a week.

Observation Zone 6
The total CHWs number who worked in the first months: 60
The number CHWs questioned: 40
The number CHWs replied: 26
The number CHWs active: 30

From 26 number of CHWs replied:
5 CHWs don’t have latrines, 1 CHW doesn’t have shower and 6 CHWs don’t have latrine and showers. Thus almost 50% of CHWs are experiencing lack of basic facilities.

Minutes of Health Meeting on 16th August

2004-08-19T07:11:00.000+04:30

Participants
ACF-Spain, ADRA, AID-24, ASB, Caritas, Handicap International, HUMA, IFRC, Merlin, Mercy corps, MoH-Bam, Nejat, Oxfam, TDH, UNICEF, World vision

Agenda
I. Disease surveillance system
II. Equipping
II. Medical assistance
IV. UNICEF Programs
V. Reconstruction of health care facilities
VI. Training
VII. Census

I. Disease surveillance system

MOH(Dr. Abbasi):

There has been no outbreak in the disease trends in recent week.

We have found a company to provide health staff to us and Kerman Medical Science University has accepted this company. The number of staff and the sectors for which the staff are going to be provided by this company are:
- 1: Environmental Health
- 1-2: Family Health
- 1: Midwife
- 1: Behvarz
- 1: Servant
- 1: Driver

For each two zones, one GP and one Registration Officer are going to be considered. These are according to what Kerman Medical Science University has determined based on its policy.

We also welcome to NGOs who are interested in providing staff.

II. Equipping

MOH(Dr. Abbasi):

We provided the Health Houses Equipment list in last week and have been waiting for feedback of NGOs interested in this issue but have not received any so far. If any NGO is interested in Health Houses Equipment please let us know soon because there is no time to loose.

Also one of the important needs is ambulance for Rostamabad, Rigan and Fahraj. Actually these rural areas have ambulance but do not work properly.

We also thank Save the Children (NGO) for providing two ambulances.

Merlin:

We need to have Equipment needs of each Health Houses.

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

It can be provided from Expanse (GOSTARESH) Sector of MoH.

HUMA:

Provided 4 connexes for Zone 5 Temporary Health Center.

III. Medical assistance

Aid-24:

A medical team with an ambulance is ready to come to Iran but they have Visa problem.

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

I gave Aid-24 a letter to take it to the Taskforce Office. They are following up the issue to solve the Visa problem.

IV. UNICEF Programs

UNICEF:

One: Revitalization of vaccination cold chain system in Bam, And the WHO-UNICEF certificate for effective Vaccine Management for Tehran-Kerman-Bam axis.

Two: Nutrition Plan in stages below:
- Improvement of Nutritional Surveillance
- Micronutrient Supplementation
- Capacity Development of Local Health Workers and Volunteers
- Promotion of Best Feeding and Hygiene Practices.
- Emergency Preparedness

Three: Health and Nutrition: Three party MoH-UNICEF-WHO collaboration for reconstruction of health sector in Bam with. The allocated budget for it is nearly $4,000,000.

V. Health Care Facilities Reconstruction

MoH (Mr. Karimi):

We are going to hold a meeting with Dr. Fadaie, The Deputy of The Governor General today on the matter of funding the lands should be allocated for the Health Centers in Besat, Zeid, Seyyed-Tahereddin, Mehrabi, Azadi and Maleke-Ashtar.

Because Hendrik from WorldVision is very busy, Frits from ADRA was selected as NGOs' coordinator in the Health construction issue.

IFRC: About the Containerized Hospital

All the needed containers arrived. We are doing the finishing works to set up the hospital soon.

We should just transfer all of equipment to the containers and it takes 3-4 days. We are going to start transferring tonight.

We estimate to have Open Ceremony for the hospital till 28^th August.

VI. Training

Merlin:

We have started the training of Behvarzes. They are going to be trained in six weeks by groups of six. We have finished the training in Rostamabad and are going to shift and start in Fahraj. Actually we have trained three groups so far.

ACF:

We need to have updated health information in different issues from MoH but they do not have cooperation with us.

WHO:

We will follow up this matter and solve the problem in a proper way.

VII. Census

WHO:

As you may know, the NGO NPC has started a census in Bam. Actually the plan of this census is doing a survey to find vulnerable groups after earthquake. The first survey has been done in Barawat. Now the same survey is being conducted all over the city of Bam.

The census is being done using trained volunteers.

Nejat:

The data of 13318 inhabitants (More than 3000 family) has been entered in Database so far.

So far, the zone 12 has been finished.

Zone 1 is going to be finished soon.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie, WHO-Bam Program assistant

Aid 24- HBAid phycisians

2004-08-18T21:06:00.000+04:30

Aid 24- HBAid phycisians are currently working in the following urban and rural health centres:
Zone 2
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8
Khajeh Asgar (Zone 12)
Rostam Abad

Furthermore, in co-operation with Merlin and MOH, we have recently provided the above mentioned two rural health centres with emergency medicines and equipment.

Ferenc Tisch, Aid 24-HBAid

MDM-Spain work in progress

2004-08-12T21:03:00.000+04:30

(This message is in order to clarify the Minutes of 9th of August, because information related with MDM-Spain is not right).

MDM-Spain has alredy provided equipment in zones 2 and 6, and the Health Centres in this two areas are fully equipped Zone 6 finished in march 2004 and zone 2 finished in june 2004)

The current project of MDM-Spain is to balance structures and equipment (according to the situation of each Health Centre) in the following zones: zones 7, 9, 10 and 11.

MDM-Spain has already agreed from 16th of February (first MoU) that equipment will be handed over to the permanent Health Centres, once they will be built

Cristina Miñana

Psycho social intervention in IBC's Children's Social Centers in Bam: MUSIC THERAPY

2004-08-12T15:32:00.000+04:30

<>
08 Aug 2004 18:21:00 GMT
IBC Turkey's Bam Field Operation

International Blue Crescent (IBC) - Turkey
Website: http://www.bluecrescent.net
Since the end of March, IBC started working with the children victims of earthquake in Bam. In the 5 Turkish container camps in zones 3 and 10 (Isfahan1, Isfahan2, Qom1, Qom2 and Shehrdari) with 750 families, IBC established 8 Children's Social Centers, with 16 classes, 16 instructors and 2 psychologists for psycho-social intervention.

Most of the children attending IBC Centers are cases of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) which require treatment of all associated problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, destructive acting out) and ongoing support for participation in the normal developmental experiences of childhood.

Especially if PTSD is not treated shortly after the incident, long-term support and social skills training may be needed to help a child remedially gain the skills that were not developed during a period of months or...
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/109198972817.htm

Minutes of Health Meeting on 9th August

2004-08-11T20:32:00.001+04:30

Participants
ACF-Spain, ADRA, AID-24, ASB, Handicap International, HUMA, IBC-Turkey, Merlin, Mercy corps, MDM-Spain, MoH-Bam, Nejat, Oxfam, Taskforce, UNICEF, World vision

Agenda

Disease surveillance system

Staffing

Medical assistance

Equipping

Census

Reconstruction of health care facilities

I. Disease surveillance system

MOH(Dr. Abbasi):

Provided the list of needed equipment in the Health Houses bases on:
- Damaged Health Houses
- Semi-damaged Health Houses
- Non-damaged Health houses

Regarding the fact that Non-damaged Health Houses somehow affect the efficiency of health service delivery, they also need to be considered in the process of reequipping. Nevertheless the damaged Health Houses take priority over the Equipping process admittedly.

There are 93 Health Houses. This list has been prepared based on 54 Health Houses considered as reconstruction needed cases out of which 32 have been assessed by Merlin and ACF.

Exceptionally the item of "Motor cycle" in the equipment lists is supposed to be provided by MoH. Then the agencies can consider it as "NOT NEED".

We need to have urgent feedback from NGOs and other agencies if they are interested to provide the needs.

Also the list of needed equipment for the Health Centers will be provided soon.

Nejat:

We need to find affected villages by Earthquake.

WHO:

It is possible to provide such a list from Taskforce office.

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

Provided report of diseases statistics for the recent 3 years as below:

The first 3 month of each year(number of cases)
Cases	1381	1382	1383
Malaria	35	33	19
Tuberculosis	7	11	17
Wild Animal Bites	96	59	149
Measles	93	14	0
Typhoid	11	4	3
Suspicious to Meningitis	5	3	4
Brucellosis	5	4	2
Leishmaniosis	72	93	62

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

We can see decrease in some cases and also none meaningful increase in a few cases.

Reporting system after the Earthquake has become more sensitive than before. Hence after the Earthquake the cases have been more than before Earthquake.

About the rest of diseases, our experts are doing verifications.

With the cooperation of the WHO after Earthquake, we have been successful in diseases control so far.

II. Staffing

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

We are going to give our request to interested companies who can provide staff in an advertisement on coming Thursday. Definitely the target company who should provide all of our staff will be introduced in 8-10 days.

Staff situation in the zones is as below:
- The zones 4 and 7 and 11 do not have physicians.
- The rest of the zones have physician at least 3 days a week.

III. Medical assistance

Aid-24:

Is going to provide physicians to Rostam-Abad and Mohammad-Abad.

IV. Equipping

HUMA:

Is planning to provide equipment for zone 5. The approval has been gotten from MoH.

MDM-Spain:

Is going to balance the equipment situation of the zones 2 and 6, so that the shortage in the equipment will be provided by MDM-Spain, and also the extra items in the equipment get transferred to other Health Centers which need these items.

Merlin:

We have provided 22 needed items to Health Centers in Rostam-Abad and Khaje-Askar.

WHO:

Is going to provide equipment for the health centers' Laboratories, Radiology centers, Polyclinics, and also ambulances.

Merlin:

What happened to equipment which had already been provided to the zones 1 and 7?

MoH (Dr. Abbasi):

Actually that time, Yazd provincial university was in charge of zone 1. If the initial list of these items(equipment ) is given to us, we will certainly follow up the issue. And we have asked Merlin to provide us with the list so we can follow the investigation.

V. Census

WHO:

The census is being done using trained volunteers.

Nejat:

So far, zone 12 has been finished.

VI. Reconstruction of health care facilities

WHO:

We had meeting with the key persons and authorities of construction issue this morning. They promised to clear the issues in each zone where there is problem with land allocation.

The next meeting will be held two weeks later on Monday. In this meeting we will ask the authorities to provide us the result of their efforts for finalizing the lands allocation during two weeks.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie, WHO-Bam Program assistantEdited and finalized by DR.Ali Eghtesadi, WHO-Bam Program assistant

Minutes of Health Meeting on 1st August

2004-08-02T20:03:00.000+04:30

Participants
ACF-Spain, AID-24, ASB, Handicap International, HUMA, Merlin, Mercy corps, MDM-Spain, Oxfam, SDC, Taskforce, MOH-Bam, UNICEF, World vision

Agenda
1.- Disease surveillance syste
2.- Medical assistance
3.- Equipping
4.- Training programs
5.- Census
6.- WHO collaboration frame work
7.- Reconstruction of health care facilities
8.- NGOs' health coordinator election
9.- Changing health meeting day

I. Disease surveillance system

WHO:

Unfortunately only 4 zones have reported their disease status in the recent week.

There has been no outbreak in the disease trends in the past week.

Four GPs have started to work since last week in Zones 1, 8, 9 and 12. Two of them are hired by AID-24 and the other one by the MOH.

II. Medical assistance

WHO:

Introduction of a new NGO: HUMA

HUMA:

We have arrived in Bam five weeks ago.

We are doing some assessments of health situation in Bam.

We have MOU with Tehran c. council in health issues.

We are going to do assessments for equipping the urban Health Centers.

We are also planning to hire some GPs for some Health Centers.

We are going to provide four connexes for the zone 11(Mazandaran).

III. Equipping

MDM-Spain:

We had a meeting with Dr. Abbasi. He recommended some existing and functioning Health Centers which do not have problems like location allocation. Therefore:

We are going to equip the zones 5, 9 and 10.

MOH-Bam(Mr. Karimi):

Dr. Abbasi is going to announce the report of disease status till the end of this week.

Dr. Abbasi is also going to provide the list of equipment for urban Health Centers and rural Health Houses.

I got a list of equipment required by ophthalmology sector in Imam hospital. They have requested 10,000EURO for these equipments.

ACF:

We are going to equip the nutritional equipments of the Health Houses. We are finishing the assessment of 31 Health Houses with database developed and provided by the WHO.

The rest of equipment of Health Houses are going to be provided by Merlin.

Merlin:

We have MOU for equipping 28 out of 93 Health Houses and 6 Rural Health Centers.

We are going to extend our program for more Health Houses.

IV. Training programs

Merlin:

We have program for refreshener training of Behvarzes.

We started our Behvarz Trainig courses yesterday for retraining of almost 165 Behvarz personnel of all Rural Health Houses. The program is scheduled to be finished within 2 months.

WHO:

MOH is going to provide a proposal for training of 60 key-staff who are working in the Urban Health Centers which will be proposed to WHO.

Oxfam:

A training program about earthquake preparedness is going to be run in the zones 6 and 13 for community health volunteers.

The NGO Gole-Maryam is going to provide some treated bed-nets. 20,000 bed-nets have been given to Mercy-corps for distribution so far.

V. Census

WHO:

The census is being done using trained volunteers.

VI. WHO Collaboration frame work

WHO:

Almost all of the NGOs have signed the Collaboration Framework (CB).

Merlin:

Is Ministry of Housing supervisor of Health Centers construction?

MOH-Bam(Mr. Karimi):

Ministry of Housing will not interfere in constructions in detail but is going to check the construction just in two main issues:
1.- Land allocation
2.- Land location considering city master-plan

SDC:

Should the Health Houses get reconstructed using the traditional materials?

MOH-Bam (Mr. Karimi):

No! They should be constructed with prefabricated design.

VII. Reconstruction of health care facilities

SDC:

We need to have an approved and updated list of Health Houses which should be reconstructed or repaired.

MOH-Bam(Mr. Karimi):

It is being prepared and I have offered it to some NGOs before. Anyway

NGOs involved in HC reconstruction program can refer to me to get the land(s). I am available everyday.

Merlin:

We are going to construct 7 Health Houses at the first stage, but we are still waiting for our two donors' agreement.

World Vision:

We started to construct two Health Houses and stopped because of the land problem. The land problem got solved so MOH and we started again.

VIII. NGOs' health coordinator

WHO

Having the agreement of the NGOs based on voting, from now on Anna from ACF and Hendrik from World Vision are selected as the coordinators of international NGOs. Anna for health issues, and Hendrik for construction issues.

IX. Changing of health meeting day

WHO:

From now on, considering the NGOs agreement the health meeting will be held on Mondays at 5:00pm.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie, WHO-Bam Program assistant
Edited and finalized by DR. Ali Eghtesadi, WHO-Bam Program assistant

Iran’s Bam Citadel Inscribed on World Heritage List

2004-07-05T02:32:00.000+04:30

TEHRAN July 3 (MNA) -- The rich archaeological remains of Iran’s Bam Citadel was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List during the 28th session of the organization’s World Heritage Committee on Friday in the Chinese city of Suzhou.
> Read more

Minutes of Health Meeting on 20th june

2004-06-24T02:46:00.000+04:30

The meeting was held with the presence of following international partners and groups as well: ACF-Spain / AID-24 / ASB / IBC-Turkey / Merlin / MDM-Spain / MOH-Bam / Local NGOS-HOUSE / Oxfam / Save the Children

The meeting was directed based on following issues:

I) HEALTH SYSTEM

Staffing

- WHO:

Most of the provincial medical teams have left Bam and Kerman province has provided medical teams for the zones instead of them. The zone 9 (E-Azerbaijan) has not left yet, but it will also leave soon. The zones 3, 5 and 9 have GPs, the rest of zones do not have. Bam district department is going to recruit needed staff for the zones.

Surveillance system

- WHO:

There has been no outbreak in the disease trends during recent week.

Environmental health

- WHO:

There has been no sign of bacterial contamination of the water network in the previous week. Also the chlorine level of the water is acceptable.

- ACF:

Leaving the zones, medical teams have taken the equipments with themselves. Is there any regulation determining whether they can do such a thing or not?

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

They have brought the equipments with themselves. So they can take them too and we can not prevent them.

Dr. Noor, from Merlin, has suggested that it would be better if the medical teams in the zones get changed by 4-weeks period instead of two-weeks. We will think about this matter!

- Oxfam:

Water and sanitation department in Bam believes that the pipe water is safe. On the other hand the MOH says that the pipe water is not safe. This lack of agreement between these departments causes problems.

Oxfam has provided two leak detector to the water and sanitation organization.

Training

- Merlin(Dr. Noor):

There is a concern on the Behvarzes training in Bam. Merlin is doing assessment about this issue

II) INTRODUCTION OF NEW NGO: AID24

- AID24:

We are from Hungary.

We have been in Bam Three days after earthquake with a medical team including seven staff out of which four staff was doctors.

Now we have come back with one medical team that gets changed by 3-weeks period.

III) HEALTHY CITY PROJECT IN BAM

- WHO:

Healthy city project is actually a comprehensive approach in the health issue to bring all of the organization, either internationals or locals, together to share the experiments, design projects and also funding these projects for the rehabilitation of Bam health network.

Third workshop on "Bam as healthy city" was held in Kerman last week. The NGOs has also been invited to this workshop. Two NGOs attended in the workshop, ACF and Merlin.

- ACF:

Unfortunately only two NGOs attended in the workshop. Actually one of the plan of the workshops on "Bam as healthy city" is to teach the involved partners the better collaborations and cooperation in the rehabilitation projects in Bam. NGOs can support it.

- Merlin:

NGOs should attend in the workshops of "Bam as healthy city". Also we need to have more information about the "Healthy city" concepts

- WHO:

We have given information about it to all NGOs. Nevertheless we will give the needed information about "Healthy city" to the interested NGOs.

All of the organizations also required to share their experiments to improve the quality and contents of the proposals provided in the workshops on "Bam as healthy city". After that the proposals will be signed and funded to be performed.

- Merlin:

All of the health issues like the health education, schools hygiene, environmental health, health equipments and etc have been considered in "Healthy city" project that is going to gather all of the partners interested in the health rehabilitation under a cooperative umbrella. All of the NGOs according their fields of activities (Health education, school hygiene, etc.) should attend in the workshops of "Healthy city" projects.

- WHO:

The Governor General of Kerman province, Mr. Karimi, is in charge of the healthy city project in Bam.

The Secretary General of this project is Dr. Aflatounian, Deputy of Kerman University of the medical science.

A committee including five persons has been considered to verify the proposals relevant to the healthy city projects in Bam. One of the persons is from the WHO in Bam.

- ACF:

We need to have minutes of the workshops on "Bam as healthy city" upon which we can have better directions considering both our plans and the defined health projects in these workshops.

IV) HEALTH FACILITIES CONSTRUCTIONS

- Merlin:

The WHO and NGOs met in Tehran on the joint program of the health centers construction in Bam. Regarding the fact that most of the NGOs have to leave Bam up to end of the year, this joint program proposed by the WHO representative is good because base on this proposal the HCs constructions have to be done in six month.

We and ACF are doing assessments on RHC, UHC and the rural and urban health houses. We are going to provide equipments for them and have construction programs based on these assessments. Also the WHO is going to design and prepare a database to facilitate these assessments and the related issues.

- WHO:

We have invited Mr. Karbakhsh from the local NGOs' House. Actually from now on we are going to invite the local NGOs to Health meeting, because there can be a close relationship between the local and international NGOs.

- NGOs HOUSE(Mr. Karbakhsh):

Actually Mr. Shamsinia is in charge of the coordination of local NGOs with the other partners. We have not started yet and we are finding suitable linkages to start.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

According to a meeting with Mr. Shamsinia, he was going to spend 2500,000,000 Riyals for constructing of health houses. But as though he is going to shift to the blood transfusion issue to spend this money.

- NGOs HOUSE(Mr. Karbakhsh):

Mr. Shamsinia and the Governor General of Kerman province compromised in a meeting that this budget gets shifted to the blood transfusion sector.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

Merlin was going to provide containers for seven health houses but it has not done this yet.

- Merlin:

Their needs are more than the amount we can provide. Nevertheless you can talk about it later with Dr. Noor.

- Oxfam:

The laboratory of the water & sanitation sector needs to have an electricity generator urgently to stabilize the electricity.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie
WHO-Bam Program assistant

Blogs Opening Iranian Society?

2004-06-17T21:01:00.000+04:30

A little more than two years ago, Hossein Derakhshan started blogging. Hundreds of other people probably launched their own blogs on that same December day, but few can claim they may have sparked a revolution.
Read more at Wired...

Minutes of Health Meeting on 13th june

2004-06-17T15:35:00.000+04:30

The meeting was held with the presence of following international partners and groups as well:

ACF Spain / Merlin / Mercy Corps / MOH-Bam / Nejat / World Vision

The meeting was directed based on following issues:

I) HEALTH SYSTEM

Staff

- WHO:

Most of the provincial medical teams have left Bam. Three medical teams have come from Kerman and replaced in zones 9(Azerbaijan E), 12(Azerbaijan W), 6(Gilan). Also two medical teams have entered zones 3 (Esfahan) and 5 (Tehran) contractually. Other zones are without any medical team where the MOH is going to recruit staff for the zones.

- Nejat:

How long does it take the MOH to get staff as the medical teams in the zones? If we bring GPs, how long can they work here?

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

Actually the MOH has signed contracts to some staff and recruited them. Nevertheless, in case any NGO want to bring GPs, welcome!

Surveillance system

- WHO:

There has been no sign of outbreak in the last week

Environmental health

- WHO:

There has been no sign of bacterial contamination of the water network in the previous week. Also there has been no problem with the chlorine level of the water.

Accordance with a meeting we had with Mr. Alvali, he believes that the NGOs involved in services provision in the camps, should turn their focus from the camps to the zones. Because the people are not more interested to live in the camps and they leave the camps.

- Nejat:

The ice factory in Bam produces ice from the water without chlorine. People naturally use this ice to cool the bottled and tanker water and this is dangerous because the cholera bacteria remain alive in the ice for a long time rather than usual water.

People reuse the bottles of water to fill it with the pipe water and this matter shows that they believe the pipe water is safe. It can be dangerous if there is doubt about the water safety.

- WHO:

The Governor-General of Kerman province has claimed that the network water is safe.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

I will ask this matter with the MOH, but I do not think the water is not safe.

Volunteer Health Workers training

- WHO:

Based on the VHW training program set by the WHO, UNICEF, Mercy corps, Oxfam and Nejat, 250 volunteers have been trained so far and also 82 are going to be trained.

The MOH needs to establish the training programs into the zones and it needs facilities and equipments like containers, stationeries and etc. So please let us know if any NGO would like to help on this issue.

The MOH is going to consider a VHW-center for their extra free time activities like educational programs useful for the income generation for the volunteer health workers. The land of this center is ready to be allocated for the construction. If any NGO can help on the construction of this center, let us know.

- Nejat:

There is one prefabricated building in the zone 6. We need four coolers and stationeries for the zones 6 and 13.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

We need four containers for two medical teams in the zones 4 and 7.

- ACF:

Mrs. Bahadori from the MOH has told that there are no containers and equipments in the zones 4 and 7.

- Merlin:

But some of the NGOs had provided containers to the zone 7.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

We have taken the containers from the zone 7 to the maternal sector.

II) HEALTH CENTERS CONSTRUCTION

- WHO:

According to the WR proposal about the health center construction issue, we had a meeting with the NGOs involved in the health centers construction for the joint program in Bam. There will also be a meeting among these NGOs and the WR in Tehran on Wednesday to discus about this proposal in detail and finalize the relevant issues.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

Why People in Need and Word Vision have not started the construction?

- World Vision:

Actually everything is not ready. Based on the blueprint that we have, it takes 9 month to construct the buildings and our mission deadline does not allow us to do so.

- MOH (Mr. Karimi):

You can construct prefabs that take less time.

- World Vision:

This is what we are going to do and we are waiting for the unique plan to be finalized by Tehran based on the Cerry and Jim's design proposals.

- ACF:

There is a health training program called MANA some parts of which are going to be taught by the ACF for the health staff in the health system of Bam. Mrs. Bahadori, nutritional health and family planning department of Bam health network, believes that there are parts with more priority in this program needed to be focused on like the child's growth food, nutrition and training issues related to the diarrhea.
We told that the ACF can even train the health staff all of this program. And Mrs. Bahadori is going to verify the issue and inform us. Can the WHO help on this issue and persuade them to accept this program?

- WHO:

This is actually the same routine approach as the volunteer health workers training that is being done by groups of UN agencies and NGOs. Hence there is no problem and you can follow up the issue.

- WHO:

The third workshop on "Bam as healthy city" is going to be held on Monday in Kerman. In this workshop, the proposal for the projects will be written. So the NGOs would better to attend the workshop. All NGOs interested in participating in this workshop are requested to inform us to arrange their accommodation in Kerman.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie
WHO-Bam Program assistant

Minutes of Health Meeting on 6th june

2004-06-17T15:18:00.000+04:30

The meeting was held with the presence of following international partners and groups as well:

ACF Spain / ADRA / ASB / Caritas / HCF / IFRC / IRCS / Malteser / MDM-Spain / Merlin / Mercy Corps / MOH-Bam / Oxfam / People in Need / Save the Children / Swiss Red Cross / TDH / World Vision

The meeting was directed based on the following issues:

I) Health System

- WHO:

Seven provincial teams have left Bam two weeks ago and Bam district department has provided teams from Kerman province. Two medical teams got established in zones 2 (Esfahan) and 7 (Fars) today. Other zones are without any medical team.

Regarding the kind cooperation of IFRC/IRCS for joining to Disease Surveillance System (DSS) the reporting situation is improving, but the cooperation of physician for sending the diarrhea patients to provide stool exams needs to be considered. A meeting can be held with Mr. Jalali and Dr.Aghazadeh to discuss about the stool exams.

- IFRC:

It seems there is no special problem, but this first time that I have heard this issue. Holding a meeting with Mr. Jalali and aghazadeh can solve the problem.

II) Environmental health:

- WHO:

There is no sign of bacterial contamination of the water network in the previous week. Although, the chlorine level in water was not reasonable. According to the Environmental Health Department (EHD) at BDHN, the chlorine level in the source of the water network in the city was zero. So, we must be careful about the safety of water.

III) Medical and Health equipment:

- WHO:

Mercy Corps is trying to provide 2 ambulances type C and Save the Children are 2 ambulances type B for Emam Hospital. We talked to Dr. Daneshyar, head of BDHN, and he accepted to establish just type C. Maybe Save the Children would change its plan.

- Save the Children:

We have signed a MoU with Dr. Daneshyar before for providing 2 type B.

- WHO:

Certainly, type C is more advance and is appropriate for this situation. It is supposed that enough consultation would be done before any planning and it will be great if the NGOs with common interests will be much more coordinated.

- Mercy corps:

It is great to have coordination in all issues like distributing the bed nets. Oxfam has started to distribute the bed nets and Mercy Corps is going to do such.

- Oxfam:

We are going to distribute 7000 bed nets the next two weeks.

- Merlin:

The WHO has distributed a paper about the standards for bed nets considering the health issues. And it is better all distributors follow this standards.

- WHO:

The issue of distributing the bed nets is effective in controlling the malaria and leshmaniasis.

- IRCS:

We have provided two cars as ambulances for the IFRC/IRCS to use it definitely in the emergencies and transporting the patients. But it has been seen that they use the ambulances for any other non-relevant purposes like going to the airport and etc.

- IFRC:

The application of cars was not fixed, so we may use of them for necessary applications.

IV) Health centers construction

- WHO:

According to the proposal received from WR, the WHO is going to gather all of the international partners involved in the health construction plan under an umbrella to have a common representation and linkage between the MOH and decision makers and the NGOs in order to facilitate and solve the construction relevant issues and problems.

- Merlin:

According to this proposal and also considering the WHO roles in the MOH, the WHO is going to actually provide resources as a linkage between the NGOs and the MOH to facilitate the health construction related issues as well facing the MOH and related authorities directly.

- Merlin/WHO:

A meeting is going to be held between the NGOs and WHO on Tuesday 8th June at 10:00.

- WHO:

Actually this proposal does not interference the individual plan of the partners incases of having any. It is going to facilitate the operations and acts related to the health construction to be done as soon also considering the time limitations.

- MOH (Mr. Karimi):

The NGOs claim that they are ready to start, and we say them that there are problems in the lands allocation. Actually the lands should be allocated based on the city plan.

People In Need is going to construct a health center in 22 Bahman sq. and we told them to assess the land and there is no problem to start.

Ghasemzadeh has been given to World Vision to construct the health center. We told the World Vision to assess the land maybe it is needed the land place gets changed a little bit meters and gets sit back.

The clinic in Bagh-Khan should be definitely reconstructed and the Adrea has the construction plan for there but believes that the building should just be repaired. I believe that it should be reconstructed.

- ADRA:

If the building gets pulled down, we will start to reconstruction of the health center and there is no problem.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

OK! If Adrea is going to construct the health center in Bagh-e-khan, we will destroy the building and they can start.

World Vision is going to construct the health center in Zeid Sq. and the plan is not the problem and we provide it, but there is a problem in land allocation. I believe the World Vision should start the construction in Ghasemzadeh and parallel to that the problem of the land in Zeid Sq. will being solved.

World Vision wants to construct two health centers in Baravat instead of Zeid Sq. and Esfican.

IBC Turkey was going to construct the health center in Razmandegan BLVD. but does not follow up the case.

- Merlin:

Hendrik from World Vision can give the information about it after he come back to Bam.

- Mr. Karimi (MOH):

NGOs are kindly requested to consider the earthquake regulations in their designs and structures of the constructions.

NGOs are kindly requested to tell their Translators to translate and reflect the exact meanings of the both sides.

NGOs are kindly requested to discard the every construction materials aside and only consider the materials that are useful for light-weight constructing and earthquake resistance construction issues.

I have asked Kevin from Merlin to provide us the same construction technology considerable in the earthquake situation that is used in New Zealand.

- Mr. Karimi (MOH):

Asked IFRC about the hospital it is going to build.

- FRC:

Every thing has been done: plan and design are ready. We are going to choose a company to sign the contract with. And after signing this contract, every thing will be in the place in four weeks.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

I can help IFRC to improve the issues if it is needed.

- IFRC:

Actually we have used the prefab Designs for the construction. Nevertheless we can give the details of plan and design to Mr. Karfimi to have probable needed comments.

How many lands can be allocated to the health centers construction?.

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

Actually 5 lands are ready and 5 are not. Also we have 3 lands for construction of three polyclinics.

- IFRC:

Is there any polyclinic or health center that has not been given to any agency for construction?

- MOH(Mr. Karimi):

There are two UHCs and three polyclinics available to be given for construction.

We also need one agency to construct a health emergency station.

Three containers are needed for three medical teams in the zones.

We need to have a report from the NGOs presenting their activities in the construction. We are going to reflect this report to the authorities.

- MDM Spain:

Alavi Office has got such a repot from all international agencies before and is going to publish.

The UNDP has got such a report and it can provide it to you.

- WHO:

Mr. Alavi considers the reports as confidential and the time of publication is not clear. So, the reports are not available. Also, UNDP help Mr. Alavi for gathering the reports not for themselves or dissemination. MOH must be aware of current NGOs activities for better management and coordination.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie
WHO-Bam Program assistant

Workshop on 'Bam as Health City'

2004-06-16T13:08:00.000+04:30

...held by WHO and Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS) at Govashir Hotel of Kerman on June 14-15 from 8:30 to 5:00.

The program will be directed to the project proposal writing for Health City Plan (HCP) based on the priorities, which will be presented on the 1th day of workshop.

Please consider that the workshop will be in Persian, so bringing the translator is needed.

It would be really appreciated if you convey your confirmation till Saturday night, June 11.

Bam as Healthy City.ppt

Contact:
Dr. Ali Ardalan
Medical Officer
WHO Field Office, Bam
Tel: 0912-308-1483

Minutes of meeting on VHWs training program

2004-06-16T12:51:00.000+04:30

World Health Organization
June 10, 2004

The meeting was held with presence of MOH/Bam, Oxfam, Nejat, UNICEF and WHO. Mercy Corps was absent and participated in the meeting through phone line.

The main purpose of meeting was to determine the progress of program and discussing on the roles of partners. The following issues were discussed and agreed:

The number of Volunteer Health Workers (VHWs) should be increased up to about 720 for covering 25 households by one VHW.

The VHWs for each set of households should be selected from members of same households set. This is the reason that some people have not been accepted as VHWs.

Age over 18, is another criteria for selection and VHWs should not be students. But for preserving their motivation they can involve in the School Health Programs.

Mercy Corps had one picnic for VHWs and Nejat is going to have two, soon.

Mercy Corps is supposed to bring some written material for MOH/ Bam.

Until June 10, 250 VHWs have been trained and 82 are being trained.

The training program should be continued till all VHWs will be trained.

The proposal has been finalized in Persian by MOH/Bam considering the views of partners.

Developing an evaluation process is necessary for adding to training curriculum.

WHO and UNICEF will equally fund the personnel cost (trainers and logistic) up to 13,900,000 and NGOs will fund other costs.

Oxfam acts as Nejat’s donor.

An empowering center should be build for VHWs. UINCEF will equip the center.

MOH/Bam should be hold training program in each zone 2-3 times a week. So, it needs connexes and other necessary equipment. The list of needs should be provided by MOH/Bam and be presented by WHO in the next health meeting.

The minutes should be signed by partners.

Médicos del Mundo no abandona Bam

2004-06-15T13:26:00.000+04:30

Text and pics about MDM work in Bam
(in spanish)

Iran News...

2004-06-08T18:52:00.000+04:30

08 June 2004
Iran's world-famous pistachio under cloud of EU ban over cancer fears

07 June 2004
Iran intensifies torture of political critics : Human Rights Watch

05 June 2004
Thousands of Iranians ready for suicide raids

2004-06-01T13:40:00.000+04:30

Strong earthquake hits Iran

2004-05-28T19:39:00.000+04:30

Earthquake Rattles Iran's Caspian Sea Provinces
Reuters - 25 minutes ago
TEHRAN (Reuters) - A strong earthquake rattled Iran's lush northern provinces by the Caspian Sea on Friday, sending terrified people running into the streets ...

Strong Quake Hits Iran
CBS News - 22 minutes ago
(CBS/AP) A 6.2 magnitude earthquake shook parts of central and northern Iran on Friday. There were no immediate reports of casualties. ...

Strong earthquake rocks Iran
CNN - 56 minutes ago
(CNN) -- A 6.2 magnitude earthquake has struck northern Iran, centered about 45 miles north of the capital, Tehran, according to the US Geological Survey. ...

MDM Project in Bam

2004-05-16T17:40:00.000+04:30

Improvement of Primary Health Care Services in the city of Bam
KHORASAN HEALTH CENTRE

Funded by

Following the previous MDM Spain project in Bam, this project will continue supporting the Bam health network, in precarious situation after the devastating earthquake. To accomplish this objective, a new temporary health center (THC) will be constructed and equipped in a temporary camp located in Zone 2 (Khorasan), one of the more castigate areas of Bam. This Centre will replace a THC, unequipped properly and working in tents, located in the same zone, and will be used until the construction of a Permanent Health Centre (it is estimated that the reconstruction will be carried out within the next three years). The equipment of the TCH will be donated to the Ministry of Health to be used in the permanent one.

Fork this project, Bam Task Force will help us providing prefab houses for the Health Centre instead of buying container as we did for the previous Health Centre in Zone 6, named Gilan Health Centre. It is already installed the roof and we hope that the partitions, the prefabs walls, will come from Tehran in a few days.

With the money we didn’t spend in containers, we are thinking in providing equipment, such as television, video CD, books, painting stuff and so on, for leisure time centre for the children.

KHORASAN HEALTH CENTRE will cover Zone 2 (around 8.000 inhabitants). It will be installed inside Camp 12 (1,200 inhabitants), near Camp 13 (2.000 inhabitants).

Map of Temporary Camps

Minutes of Health Meeting on 9th may (WHO)

2004-05-15T20:45:00.000+04:30

The Minister of health and medical education, Dr. Pezeshkian, came to Bam on Sunday following which a meeting was held in Emam-Khomeini Hospital by the physicians in the private sectors of Bam in the morning.

The participants in the health meeting were briefed of the morning meeting with the Minister. The minister joined the health meeting accompanied with high level health authorities.

The meeting was directed on the following matters:

I) Health centers construction

The NGOs asked the Minister to clarify issues regarding the construction program of the health centers, these include:

i. Staffing
ii. Lands allocation by MOH
iii. Deadline of NGOs projects
iv. Master plan of MOH for reconstruction
v. Plan for existing THC

The Minister explained that the staffing will not be an issue with the MOH plans and solutions. He also added that the land allocation and master plan items will be finalized in two or three days during his being in Bam. And this will solve the deadline item as well.

II) Health issues

Following to question about the strategy of the ministry of health and medical education for the control of communicable diseases, the minister mentioned that Iran is an exceptional country on this issue. Dr. Aflatounian also explained that, three groups of communicable diseases are under surveillance:

i. Epidemic prone diseases (cholera, etc.)
ii. Endemic diseases (Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, malaria, etc.)
iii. Diseases under control program (measles, polio, etc.)

“And the best evidence for effective control of diseases is the fact that up to now we had no epidemics in Bam.” he said.

On the quality and safety of water the Minister explained that based on the evidence there is no immediate high risk by using the water from the city pipe resources but due to risk of contaminations as a result of broken network we still recommend bottled water or water from tankers. Dr. Aflatounian stressed high level of attention that MOH pays for the issue of water and strict control over its safety.

Drafted by Behrad Babaie
WHO-Bam Program Assistant

Health-organizations meeting, Sunday 9th of May 2004

2004-05-15T20:40:00.000+04:30

Background to the meeting:
The general health meetings on Sundays have improved significantly under the chairmanship of the WHO Bam representative. Building on this positive experience, those NGO’s active in the health sector came together to address some of the difficult issues in the health sector which affect us all but are too big to address as individual NGOs. The purpose of the meeting was not only to discuss the issues but also to brainstorm suggestions for further improvement of the general health meeting so that it can satisfy the need for discussion and coordination between NGOs and the MOH.

The main motive for today’s meeting was last week’s health meeting, which was unsatisfying for the MOH representative since none of the NGO’s could give a direct response to the expressed needs; and was unsatisfying for the NGO’s since none of the current issues was discussed.

This discussion built upon a previous session held a few weeks ago, in which the NGO’s outlined their expectations from WHO. That session was well perceived by all NGO’s. A list of action points was made during that meeting, and most NGO’s present today would like to get feedback on that list.

Discussion:
The discussion evolved around four main topics
1. Agenda
2. Minutes
3. Translations during the meetings
4. Role of the different organizations in the meeting

Add 1) Agenda: All organizations discussed the suggestion of setting an agenda prior to the health meetings. Some feared that any pre-set agenda would need to be altered in the current situation with the rapidly changing information. Others pointed out that many agenda items would stay the same in most weeks. It was felt that much information could be shared outside the general meeting, for example through the health-group webpages or through individual meetings.

Everybody felt that setting an agenda would help, but that the agenda would need to be closely followed during the meeting by the chairman, without getting lost in sidetrack discussions or translations. All organizations preferred to see the role of the chairman as a facilitator and moderator, rather than translator or participant in the actual discussion. The chairman, prior to the actual discussion, can share any general information concerning all participants. Many organizations would like to know the source of (general) information, if shared in public.

Since the issues discussed in the meetings are quite broad (from diarrhea to building blueprints), it has been suggested to split the meeting by different categories. The following were suggested:
1. Current infections diseases update
2. Chronic diseases update (preventive health care)
3. Temporary clinic / healthcare update
4. Staffing issues and concerns
5. Medicine and equipment issues
6. Permanent reconstruction issues
7. Any other issues (general)

Under this order, each item can be discussed for a few minutes. The amount of time for each agenda item will than be determined before the start of the meeting. Effectively this implies 10 minutes discussion per item, however if one category doesn’t need to be discussed, this time can be used for other parts.

A number of suggestions were made:
• Present the general agenda items one day before the meeting. Per email or posting
• Finalize the agenda items at the beginning of the meeting (in consensus); including the amount of time per item
• Provide the source of information
• Conclude and summarize every item, before moving on to the next item
• Stick with the one hour meeting; this would avoid discussing too many details
• Support was offered for the above mentioned process concerning the agenda

Add 2) Minutes: Concerning the minutes, all organizations appreciated the effort by WHO of making the minutes. A general request was for the minutes to be sent soon after the actual meeting, preferable one day after. This would allow organizations to follow-up on the discussion of the meeting and to prepare for next meetings.

The minutes of the previous meetings certainly reflect the discussions, but if read by someone who was not present at the actual meeting it might not offer a comprehensive picture of the discussion. Comprehension is especially important if the minutes are shared with national offices or donors. Thus all organizations stressed the importance of accurate minutes that clearly reflect the discussions. It might be that taking part in the discussion and taking notes for the minutes and translating are too many tasks to do at once. Therefore it was suggested to split the task of translating and note taking for the minutes (see also next point).

The following suggestions were made:
• Assign a separate person for taking notes and the minutes
• Write the minutes so that outside readers get a comprehensive and accurate picture of the meeting
• Separate the tasks of translation and making notes (see also next point)
• Let somebody pre-read the minutes before sending them out to all
• NGO’s offered to support the process of minutes
• NGO’s offered to pre-read the minutes

Add 3) Translations during the meetings: The translations are especially important when representatives of the MOH and other officials are present. It has been noticed that relatively long monologues in Farsi are often summarized in only a few sentences in English and some bilinguals have noted that the translations are poor. Most organizations felt that they miss out quite a lot of information this way. Similarly some questions were raised about the translation of English to Farsi; there are some concerns whether the message gets across in the right way. Most organizations expressed their confidence in the current translation skills, but questioned if there is enough time to do proper translations, besides making notes and participating in the discussion (see previous comment).

The following suggestions were made:
• Assign a separate person for translations during the meeting
• Preferable having the same, independent translator for consistency
• A NGO offered to explore the possibilities of bringing a translator to the meeting (solely used for translations)

Add 4) Role of the different organizations: This was mainly discussed around the first issue, the agenda. All organizations understand that their discipline as participants is vital for the successful implementation of all of the above suggestions. All will try to keep this discipline, with the understanding that a strict discipline is also expected from the moderator concerning the time for each agenda item and the cutting off non-relevant discussions.

Besides the role of moderator for WHO, their role was discussed in a broader scope. Many organizations would like to see WHO advocate for the NGO’s in case they need help working with the MOH or higher levels of coordination. The WHO has the specific (health) expertise and the important contacts on decision-making levels in Tehran. The NGO’s would like to capitalize on this expertise and contacts, especially in complicated issues. The NGO’s certainly don’t expect WHO to have an answer to every question nor that they solve the problems for the NGO’s, but it would be highly appreciated if the WHO can support the organizations in bringing specific issues to the proper authorities.

The following specific issues where help from the WHO would be appreciated were discussed:
• Addressing the staff issues for the temporary health clinics at a higher level in the MOH
• Addressing the issues around the permanent reconstruction of health centers.
• Some authorities claim that a MOU has no value; what does that imply and what are the consequences? And where does that leave the NGO’s?

Besides the coordinating role of WHO, WHO might also be an implementing body. Therefore all organizations would like to stay updated with the current and future activities of the WHO that directly and indirectly affect the current and future work of the NGO’s (e.g. the 10 semi-permanent health centers). Furthermore, it would be very beneficial if the WHO updates the NGO’s on the outcome of Tehran meetings and decisions.

The following was suggested:
• In the meetings WHO is the moderator / chairman
• The NGO’s are the participants
• Both parties should be disciplined in the meetings in order to stick to the agenda
• WHO gives updates of their activities and future plans
• WHO gives updates on relevant decisions taken in Tehran
• WHO is available for advocacy and support for specific issues that are too complicated for the NGO’s
• WHO plays an active role as intermediary between the authorities and the NGO’s

General
Finally, it was discussed how the MOH would fit in these plans. Most felt that the MOH representative could participate in discussions of one of the agenda items. Additional health needs can be briefly discussed, but the details of the needs and the rational should be discussed outside the meetings. This is in order to keep the agenda and with the understanding that most organizations need to review the request in detail before they can give any response to the MOH. As stated in the opening paragraph, addressing the needs in the general meeting is unsatisfying for all parties.

All organizations continue to appreciate having a MOH representative present in the meetings, and find it beneficial to have someone with decision-making authority for the MOH.

Having seen the good example of the health center mapping (done by Merlin and Save the Children), Mercy Corps volunteered to make a similar matrix for all health and psychosocial related activities. The input for this matrix will be asked of all organizations, so please support this initiative by submitting the information direct after the request. With the full cooperation of all NGO’s, the matrix should be completed in one week

2004-05-07T19:28:00.000+04:30

Mapping for NGOs: Gilan and Khorasan Health Centers (MDM Spain supported clinics)

Minutes of the Health meeting

2004-05-04T17:35:00.000+04:30

Date: April 25, 2004
Time: 5:00-6:30 pm

WHO-Bam held the meeting with the presence of some UN agencies, NGOs and also five bodies of the MOH-BHC, Dr. Aflatounian, Dr. Daneshyar, Dr. Abbasi, Mr. Karimi and Mr. Jalali.

WHO-Bam Actually invited the MOH authorities to the health meeting to provide a clear negotiation scene between the international partners and the MOH.

Merlin representative said that the MOH should clear its plan and needs direction on the following considerable issues:
- Reconstruction of UHCs
- Staffing
- Urgent equipment
- Medicine management

Dr. Aflatounian mentioning the health centers conditions before the earthquake said that the NGOs should also pay more attention to the priority in the needs of the Bam health system. Following his sayings Mr. Karimi added that declaring the international partners needed information like plans and locations related to the reconstruction of the UHCs take time during which some special analyzing and assessments should be done. Hence the NGOs can focus on the current priority needs in the health system issues parallel to considering and following up the UHCs reconstruction program.

At the other hand, Dr. Aflatounian believes that the problem is actually lack of a good and clear coordination among the NGOs so that the MOH has always been encountered many different unclear plans and proposals of the NGOs. “For example one NGO in the first days of the disaster came and claimed they can allocate €2000000 to rebuild a hospital, and when this issue got followed up in serious we found out that the NGO was not going to allocate this money”, he said. And he proposed that the NGOs would better to have just one representative providing their plans and types of possible services. Dr. Daneshyar also added that the NGOs have a predetermined plan to provide just some special services and this may not be compatible with the current needs of Health System. Because the needs of the MOH to provide the health services especially in the time of recent disaster have been and can definitely be many other issues in the health services. He also said, “ when we propound our need ”.

NGO Adrea mentioned that focusing on the UHCs issue has been based on the previous agreements with the MOH, nevertheless it is ready to know the MOH needs from now on. NGOs added that regarding the time limitations, the MOH should declare its clear needs better still as a list of the needs based on which the NGOs could start. Merlin representative following this discussion said that regarding the fact that some NGOs have spent months on the agreed cases either in justifying their donors to get the related authorizations or in gathering information and related assessments, we could stay in the position and continue the current activities up to completion of the task naturally without changing the direction of the MOH plans and needs from the international partners.

Mr. Karimi mentioned that the MOH should have special assessments and analysis towards the UHCs reconstruction plan so that It will take time. Hence the NGOs would better to come up with information about their funds, services they can provide, duration of their mission in Bam and so on in order to provide their clear overall plan to the MOH.

Adrea said that it is hard to determine the duration of their mission because they are performing their roles based on the period of time they check the related needed services provision with their donors and get the agreements, authorization and money according to the information and needs declaration of the MOH.

In conclusion, all of the involved international partners and the MOH bodies compromised and affirmed to come up with their specified and clear needs of the both sides in the next health meeting. The purpose is filling the needs gaps having the MOH list of needs and also specifying the overall plan of the international partners.

Bam, Iran: an axis far from evil

2004-04-14T19:03:00.000+04:30

Ryan Pyle travels to Iran, a nation cast by President Bush as part of the 'axis of evil'

You can sit for hours on a bus in South-eastern Iran and see nothing but the extraordinary rugged landscape of black baked earth and jagged mountains. Boredom is not part of your vocabulary as you cruise through the desert on unexpectedly smooth roads in a tattered red 1974 Mercedes bus. Hours pass quickly, eyes glued to the landscape, your mind contemplating how you got here, deciding where to venture next. Signs of life are rare. And, not until mid way through your umpteenth hour on a bus with no air-conditioning, do you arrive at your destination.

Palm trees and small roadside streams will be your first impressions of this comfortably small oasis town. A few minutes of exploring on your own is all it will take in order to understand what made Bam a major trading and military post for almost 2000 years.

The Middle East has always, and will continue to hold great fascination amongst travelers. Persia, or Iran as it is known today, has been breeding ground for cultural and artistic development for thousands of years. The country, with its modern day borders, has been a hub for two major trading routes: the Silk Road from China, and the Southern trade route from Pakistan and India; and both have assisted in furthering Iran’s diverse and celebrated way of life.

Bam is located in South-eastern corner Kerman province. Maintaining its position in the middle of the Southern trade route, this small-fortified city on the outskirts of the vast Dasht-é-Lūt desert is just 350km west of the modern day Pakistan and 450km north of the Persian Gulf. Whether you are heading in either direction, Bam is an ideal place to stop for rest.

ANCIENT BAM

Ancient Bam, or the Arg-é-Bam, at its peak of political, economic, and military power had some 11,000 citizens living in 400 houses within its city walls, which still stand much the way they did hundreds of years ago. Since the city’s inception, judged to be between 250 BC – 224 AD, Bam has thrived as an energetic market place and a focal point for the region. It was not until a devastating Afghan invasion in 1722, which crippled the city and forced its inhabitants to flee, that Bam’s downfall began. Existing in shadows of its own historical greatness from 1722 and 1890, the city eventually closed its illustrious gates to civilians at the turn of the century. For the forty-year period following, the city was an active military barracks, and then lay vacant until the restoration process began in the early 1970s.

A moment is all it will take for you long to realize that Bam is an extraordinary historical site. Many of the well-visited historical sites in the world, such as the Acropolis in Athens and the Coliseum in Rome, only give the archaeologist and tourist a limited slice of history. Bam, on the other hand, clearly displays the imprints of over 2000 years of continuous history. Surrounded by inhospitable deserts and mountains, the Arg-é-Bam seems to shine out amongst its inhospitable surroundings.

Pay your entrance fee, stroll through front gates, and come face to face with ancient Bam. Houses, schools, mosques, gymnasiums, and bathhouses stand in the same places they did centuries ago. Crumbling now, these structures have maintained their allure, and they have the rare ability to give visitors a most inspiring adrenaline rush at first sight. Mud and sand stone buildings hold much of their original shape. Little imagination is required in viewing the site and grasping how these people went about their daily lives. The superb archways and narrow dirt paths between apartment blocks, shops, markets and mosques still provide the privacy and intrigue that have made this historical site Iran’s most treasured.

The Arg-é-Bam site is open from 7am – 7pm. With desert heat being uncomfortable, it is best to show up in the late afternoon and stay for sunset, when the light for pictures is best. Have a walk along the city walls and climb up to the old fortress for the finest views looking back down to the walled metropolis. Take in the regions barren surroundings from the elevated lookout point on the Citadel, and on your climb down be sure to stop for a cup of tea in the teahouse situated along its outer wall. The captivating view from the teahouse makes it an ideal place to rest and wait for the enchanting sunset.

The Arg-é-Bam has recently become one of the few foreign tourist attractions in Iran that has caught on with the locals as well. In 1993, the then President Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani visited the site for the first time. He was so impressed that he strongly urged every Iranian to visit once in their lifetime, therefore, ensuring the Arg-é- Bam’s roll in Iran’s national identity. Because the site is very popular with local Iranians, and has two functioning Mosques within the walls of the ancient city, it is important to respect all of Iran’s customs and laws while visiting the Arg-é-Bam.

NOMADIC DESERT TRIBES

After exploring the Arg-é-Bam, challenge your senses and spend a night in the unforgiving Dasht-é-Lūt desert. It is best to contact a local tour guide that can assist in transportation to, and accommodation with, nomadic tribes in the region. Learn about their traditions, food, handicrafts and how they sustain their nomadic lifestyle. A night under the desert stars in a sleeping bag can be a fantastic way to get in touch with the local nomadic culture, which in Iran accounts for an ever-diminishing (but extraordinarily fascinating) portion of the population.

AGRICULTURAL OASIS

In a region famous for its scarcity of water, Bam thrives with extensive palm groves and citrus gardens. Benefiting from subterranean water reserves, surfacing through a number of mile long water canals, Bam is essentially an agricultural city.

Bam is famous for, and a major producer of, the very best date fruits in all of Iran. Growing season is in the summer and by autumn the palm trees are heavily weighted with ripened dates ready to be picked and taken to market. Given your time and the energy, taking a stroll in the “date farms” behind the Arg-é-Bam is a rewarding experience. Walking between the endless rows and rows of date palms can be a fine way to spend one’s late afternoon. The date farmers are always keen to engage in conversation, some even know a little English, and are hospitable to tourists.

GETTING THERE, AWAY AND AROUND

Iran has a lot of appeal with tourists because it is an easy country to explore. Whether you choose trains, planes, buses or automobiles - the routes are establish and convenient for both the individual travel or tour groups. Furthermore, Iran has the lowest domestic petrol prices in the world. It is true: a liter of petrol costs a whopping 6 US cents. Because of this reality, bus and air transport, as well as anything else that uses petrol, is very economical by western standards. For example, a plan flight from Tehran to Bam will set you back just under $25USD, and the bus fare is $4USD to cover the same 1258km overland.

POLITICS, LAWS AND RUMOURS

Glancing at a list of the countries that compose of the “axis of evil” you will find the country of Iran. The “axis of evil”, being a group of countries deemed by the United States to be involved in, promoting or simply not doing enough to put an end to the threat of global terrorism. That said, Iran must be a dangerous place for tourists, a place where western folk are not welcome. However, this, like most things you read in the newspaper or watch on television, is simply not true. At least it was not true for this traveler.

In the last few years Iran has started to show signs of life, albeit still not overly progressive but life nonetheless. Iran’s growing acceptance of package tours and the resurrection of the overland trail from Turkey to India and Southeast Asia has helped put Iran back on the map.

Make no mistake; Iran is for the traveler who can respect local customs and laws. No matter how much you agree or disagree with the Islamic government and their laws, the religious leaders are in power, and they consider any minor infractions by tourists to be challenges to their authority; penalties can be sever. Saying that, traveling within Iran is a highly enjoyable and rewarding experience. Just remember two rules: respect local laws and customs, which include dressing properly; and secondly, avoid all political conversations and demonstrations. With those tips under your belt, you can not go wrong traveling around one of the most inviting and beautiful countries this traveler as ever had the privilege to visit. Enjoy.

2004-04-11T18:13:00.000+04:30

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